The Fish and Wildlife Service on Monday summoned Endangered Species Act help for seven kinds of pangolin, a sluggish and bizarre-looking creature found in parts of Asia and Africa.
Citing threats from poachers and criminal organizations, the FWS said it is proposing to designate as endangered four pangolin species in Asia and three species in Africa.
“Pangolins are particularly vulnerable to wildlife trafficking due to their slow and peaceful demeanor,” the FWS said, adding that “with limited defenses beyond their scaly exteriors, they often roll into a ball when threatened.”
The small, nocturnal mammals are covered in tough, protective scales that contain the protein keratin. The scales are used in traditional Chinese medicine, and pangolin meat is considered a delicacy in Vietnam and some parts of China.
