Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Singapore seizes elephant ivory and pangolin
scales in record $48m haul
Pangolins are the only mammals that are
wholly covered in scales to protect themselves from predators. If under threat,
a pangolin will immediately curl into a tight ball and will use their
sharp-scaled tails to defend themselves. However, such protection isn’t strong
enough against humans. Since their meat is considered as a delicacy and their
scales are used in traditional medication, Pangolins are highly valued in China
and Vietnam. Unfortunately, where there is demand, suppliers emerge even though
the trade of the endangered species is prohibited. In fact, the more restricted
the supply is, the higher the value goes. Thus, poor pangolins become a target
of poachers in Africa, just like elephants for their trunks.
Recently, nearly 12,000 kilograms of
pangolins scales and 8,800 kilograms of elephant ivory were seized in
containers at the port of Singapore, the busiest container transshipment hub in
the world. Those scales and trunks were taken from about 2,000 live pangolins
and 300 live African elephants respectively.
As Homo sapiens prosper, most of the other species
become extinct, except for pet animals like dogs and cats, cattle, and cockroaches.
Read the article and see the video to learn about
the act of the worst predator on earth.
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