One of the most hunted mammals in the world, the Pangolin species is on the brink of extinction. In Odisha, poaching of these animals is on the rise in the Ganjam-Nayagarh-Kandhamal corridor and they are smuggled into other states and countries.
According to reports, Odisha is the hub of the illegal Pangolin trade. Six persons involved in the smuggling of Pangolin scales from Odisha, West Bengal and Mizoram to Myanmar and China were arrested in the state earlier this year. In July 2018, the Special Task Force (STF) of Crime Branch arrested a key operative and mastermind from Mizoram in this connection. 
Often thought of as a reptile, and known as ‘Bajra Kapta’ in local parlance, Pangolins are nocturnal mammals having no teeth. Also called scaly anteaters, Pangolins eat ants and termites using an extraordinarily long and sticky tongue, which can sometimes reach lengths greater than their body. They are the only mammals wholly covered in scales, and they use those scales to protect themselves from predators in the wild. When threatened, a Pangolin immediately curls into a tight ball and will use its sharp-scaled tails to defend itself.
Pangolins are in high demand in countries like China and Vietnam. Their meat is considered a delicacy and the scales are used in the preparation of traditional medicines. Eight different Pangolin species can be found across Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss have made these incredible creatures one of the most endangered group of mammals in the world.
Animal lovers’ concern
According to Siddharth Pati, a scientist and member of the Association for Biodiversity Conservation and Research, “Our planet has more than 30 million animal species. Thanks to human intervention for consumption or entertainment, many species are at risk of extinction. These animals are hunted for their skin, fur, the oil they produce or used as a food source. Hunting of Pangolins has recently become rampant in the eastern states of India, including Odisha. The organs, skin, and scales of Pangolins are valued for their use in the manufacture of traditional medicine. As a result, all eight species are today facing the threat of extinction. Hunting, poaching and associated trade takes place despite the animals being listed in Schedule I of India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which strictly prohibits these activities. Superstition has a lot to do with the increasing cases of Pangolin poaching. The anteater is in great demand for its meat and scales in East and Southeast Asian countries. People in Odisha are unaware of the ecological benefits of Pangolins which is why they sell them to middlemen who smuggle them into international markets.”
He adds, “In 2014, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) had classified four species as vulnerable, two species—the Indian Pangolin and the Philippine pangolin—as endangered, and two species—the Sunda Pangolin and the Chinese Pangolin—as critically endangered. The meat of pangolin is much sought after in many countries for the preparation of niche cuisine. In Vietnam, the animal is kept caged in restaurants and slaughtered as and when a customer orders the dish. It is also said that Pangolins are boiled alive. I have heard that consumers often request draining of the blood of Pangolin which is considered to have therapeutic properties.”
Wildlife activist Bibhudatta Jena says, “Like many other wildlife products, the scales and meat of Pangolin are considered to have therapeutic properties and are used in traditional Oriental medicines. It was Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners who started using the scales of Pangolins first. TCM practitioners earlier depended on herbal medicines and various mind and body practices, such as acupuncture and tai chi, to treat or prevent health problems. In recent years, TCM practitioners have started using animal parts to cure diseases, which has led to rampant poaching of Pangolins.”
He continues: “There are many instances where superstitions lead to indiscriminate killing of an animal. In the early 50s, women suffering from infertility were given soup made from male seahorse meat because it was believed that only the male seahorses have reproductive organs. In the 60s, scientists discovered that it was female seahorses which lay eggs inside the body of male seahorses which leads to the latter conceiving. Also, people believe that balm prepared from tiger body parts cures headache. In this way, animals pay the price for superstition.”
He adds: “When it comes to Pangolins, though there is no scientific evidence, some believe that rings made from Pangolin scales can cure piles. Such superstitions still exist in eastern Indian states, particularly Odisha. They are also believed to cure ailments such as asthma. This has led to a spurt in the poaching of harmless Pangolins. And many of our forest officials do little to check the poaching and smuggling of Pangolins because of indifference or other reasons.”
Satyanarayan Mishra, curator and biologist of Indira Gandhi Park Zoo and Deer Park, says, “International trade in all the eight species of Pangolin found in Africa and Asia is banned under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Yet, illegal trade in the animal goes on. There are people who believe that the powder made from the scales of Pangolins boosts libido. Some smuggle Pangolins to use the scales for making blazers and coats. The ignorance and greed that fuel the Pangolin market can only be countered by raising awareness. Only then will Pangolins have hope for survival. People are not aware about the ecological role of Pangolins.”
He further says, “Nandankanan is the first zoo in the world to have a Pangolin conservation breeding programme launched in 2008. This is as part of its measures to save Pangolins from smuggling. Pangolins exist in almost all districts of Odisha. During my tenure at the zoo, Pangolins were rescued from 23 out of 30 districts of the state. These nocturnal animals play a significant role in maintaining biodiversity. They are pest controllers as they eat termites and help in growing the forest. Though termites are their primary food, they are also fed red ants in the zoos. At Nandankanan, a contractor was assigned to provide red ants for the Pangolins. Crushed boiled eggs are also fed to them if red ants are scarce.”
He adds, “It is widely believed that Pangolin scales can cure diseases like arthritis and piles. Many decorative items are also made from their scales. This has led to the increasing demand for pangolin in the international market. Breeding programmes are an essential tool for conserving this endangered species.”
According to Debjeet Routray, a wildlife conservation activist who is also a specialist in rescue and rehabilitation, “I have rescued four Pangolins from Jajpur, Berhampur and Ranpur. The fourth one I seized from a snake charmer. I handed over the animal to forest department officials. As far as I know, Ganjam has witnessed a rise in cases of Pangolin poaching. Bargarh and Nayagarh districts are at the top for smuggling of Pangolins. It’s high time people join hands to save these animals from extinction.”
Studying the Pangolin
Nandankanan Zoological Park has been maintaining and breeding Indian Pangolins in captivity for the last few years. The Pangolin Conservation Breeding Centre (PCBC) was established in 2008 in an off-exhibit area of the zoo, to develop appropriate methodologies for captive management and breeding of the Indian Pangolin,
Rashmi Sekha Das, OP