Published: 14 February 2026Down to EarthEnvironment
World Pangolin Day 2026: CITES Report Reveals Over 5.53 Lakh Pangolins Seized Globally (2016-2024)
Ahead of World Pangolin Day (third Saturday of February), a CITES report documented 5,53,042 pangolins seized globally across 2,222 incidents involving 74 countries and 178 unique trade routes between 2016 and 2024. China and Vietnam emerged as major destination countries, with African nations as primary sources.
India is home to two species — the Indian Pangolin and the Chinese Pangolin — distributed from the Himalayan foothills to peninsular forests. Eleven seizures identified as Indian pangolins involved approximately 193 individuals. All eight pangolin species are listed under CITES Appendix I, prohibiting international commercial trade. Despite the ban, pangolins remain the world's most trafficked mammals, driven by demand for their scales in traditional medicine.
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Q: Examine the findings of the CITES pangolin-trafficking report 2016-2024 and discuss India's conservation responsibilities for its two native pangolin species.
Answer (50 words):
The CITES report documented 5,53,042 pangolins seized worldwide during 2016-2024 across 2,222 incidents spanning 74 countries and 178 trade routes. China and Vietnam emerged as major destinations. India, home to Indian and Chinese Pangolins, recorded 11 seizures totalling 193 individuals. All eight species under Appendix I remain Earth's most-trafficked mammals.
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Frequently asked questions
How many pangolins were seized globally between 2016 and 2024 according to CITES World Pangolin Day 2026 report?
A **CITES report** released ahead of **World Pangolin Day 2026** documented **5,53,042 pangolins seized globally** across **2,222 incidents** involving **74 countries** and **178 unique trade routes** between 2016 and 2024. **China and Vietnam** emerged as major destination countries, with **African nations** as primary sources.
When is World Pangolin Day observed and what CITES Appendix are pangolins listed under?
**World Pangolin Day** is observed on the **third Saturday of February** each year. All **eight pangolin species** are listed under **CITES Appendix I**, which prohibits international commercial trade. Pangolins remain the **world's most trafficked mammals**, driven primarily by demand for their scales in traditional medicine in China and Vietnam.
Which pangolin species are found in India and what is their distribution?
India is home to **two pangolin species** — the **Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata)** and the **Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla)** — distributed from the **Himalayan foothills to peninsular forests**. **Eleven seizures** identified as Indian pangolins between 2016 and 2024 involved approximately **193 individuals**.
Why are pangolins the world's most trafficked mammals according to CITES 2026 report?
**Pangolins are the world's most trafficked mammals** primarily because of high demand for their **scales in traditional medicine** in countries like **China and Vietnam**. Between 2016 and 2024, **5,53,042 pangolins** were seized across **178 trade routes** spanning 74 countries. Despite being listed under **CITES Appendix I** prohibiting commercial trade, trafficking continues at alarming levels.
What trade routes and countries are involved in global pangolin trafficking according to CITES 2026 data?
According to **CITES 2026 data**, pangolin trafficking involves **74 countries** across **178 unique trade routes**, with **2,222 seizure incidents** between 2016-2024. **African nations** serve as primary source countries, while **China and Vietnam** are the dominant destinations. The trafficking is driven by demand for pangolin scales for use in traditional medicine.
