China Increases Protections for Pangolins
by Theresa Machemer/Smithsonianmag.com
The Chinese government has taken two actions to protect pangolins, which are the most trafficked non-human mammals on the planet.
Pangolins now enjoy the same safeguards as pandas with a Class 1 rank under China’s wildlife protection laws, which prohibits all domestic trade and use of the animal, reports National Geographic’s Dina Fine Maron. In addition, the government’s 2020 list of approved ingredients for traditional medicines does not include pangolin scales.
Together, the two changes could be a big help for the scaled, housecat-sized insectivores. Of eight species of pangolins, three are considered “critically endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the others are either endangered or vulnerable, Ben Wescott reports for CNN. But given the dire results of decades of wildlife trafficking, some experts wonder if the changes are too little too late.
Pangolin scales—which are made of keratin, the same material as fingernails—have been included on the traditional medicine ingredients list for decades, and they have been touted as a method to improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, treat lactation problems and treat arthritis.
Conservation group WildAid reports that last year, authorities seized over 130 tons of pangolin products, representing up to 400,000 animals.
Carol graduated from Riverside White Cross School of Nursing in Columbus, Ohio and received her diploma as a registered nurse. She attended Bowling Green State University where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Literature. She attended the University of Toledo, College of Nursing, and received a Master’s of Nursing Science Degree as an Educator.
She has traveled extensively, is a photographer, and writes on medical issues. Carol has three children RJ, Katherine, and Stephen – one daughter-in-law; Katie – two granddaughters; Isabella Marianna and Zoe Olivia – and one grandson, Alexander Paul. She also shares her life with her husband Gordon Duff, many cats, and two rescues.
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About time !
This is an issue worth following…
Nice to see that the irrational hatred against (Red) China has resulted in reasonable measures from the Central Government i Bĕijing. It happens all the time and strengthens tho moral authority of the “Chicoms” as opposed to the wild rantings of North Atlantic state propaganda.
And the fact that the keratin scales have no medicinal properties, the same as rhino horn. Pangolins really have no way to defend themselves…they certainly cannot run away. Pangolins were going the way of the dodo bird, which was fated to disappear due to mankind. Humans can be so stupid.
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