Published: 20 February 2026Down to Earth / Wildlife Trust of IndiaEnvironment
World Pangolin Day 2026: CITES Report Reveals 5.53 Lakh Pangolins Seized Globally in 8 Years; India's Conservation Efforts Highlighted
AQuick answer
On World Pangolin Day (February 21, 2026), a CITES report revealed 5,53,042 pangolins seized globally between 2016–2024. India's Indian pangolin and Chinese pangolin are Schedule I protected species under WPA 1972. WTI's community-led conservation secured agreements from 252 villages in Manipur-Nagaland.
Key facts
World Pangolin Day is observed annually on the third Saturday of February (February 21, 2026).
CITES report revealed 5,53,042 pangolins seized globally between 2016–2024.
Both Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) and Chinese pangolin are Schedule I species under Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
India's pangolin is also listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
WTI (Wildlife Trust of India) secured conservation agreements from 252 villages in Manipur-Nagaland.
Pangolins are the world's most trafficked mammal, prized in illegal wildlife trade for scales and meat.
World Pangolin Day was observed on February 21, 2026 — falling on the third Saturday of February — coinciding with the release of a new CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) report titled 'Conservation Status, Trade and Enforcement Efforts for Pangolins'. The report revealed that 553,042 pangolins were seized globally between 2016 and 2024, with seized pangolin parts accounting for nearly 99% of all confiscated wildlife trade by volume in that period.
All eight pangolin species are listed under CITES Appendix I, which prohibits commercial international trade. In India, the Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) and Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, making their hunting, trade, or possession a serious criminal offence. The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) runs a Countering Pangolin Trafficking project in Manipur and Nagaland, securing binding commitments from 252 Tangkhul village leaders to ban hunting and trade. Pangolins are considered ecological keystones — a single pangolin can consume up to 70 million insects annually — making their conservation critical for forest ecosystems and agricultural pest control, especially relevant to Rajasthan's arid forests and Aravalli ecosystem.
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Mains angle
Q: Discuss the CITES report revealing 5.53 lakh pangolins seized globally during 2016–2024 and India's conservation framework for this endangered species.
Answer (50 words):
On World Pangolin Day 2026, CITES revealed 5,53,042 pangolins seized globally during 2016–2024, comprising 99% of confiscated wildlife trade. All eight species are Appendix I listed. India's Indian and Chinese pangolins hold Schedule I protection under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, while WTI secured anti-poaching commitments from 252 Tangkhul village leaders.
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Linked questionMedium
How many pangolins were seized globally in 8 years according to the CITES report highlighted on World Pangolin Day 2026?
Explanation · Correct answer C
The CITES-linked report highlighted around 530,978 pangolins involved in illegal-trade seizures between 2016 and 2024. This is about 5.31 lakh, so option C is the best answer.
World Pangolin Day is observed annually on the third Saturday of February (February 21 in 2026). It is observed to raise awareness about pangolins — the world's most trafficked mammal — and to promote conservation efforts globally. The day highlights the threats facing all eight pangolin species, which are heavily targeted by illegal wildlife trade for their scales and meat.
What did the 2024 CITES report reveal about global pangolin seizures?
The CITES report revealed that 5,53,042 pangolins were seized globally between 2016 and 2024 — an average of over 69,000 per year. This scale of trafficking underscores why all eight pangolin species are listed under CITES Appendix I, which bans international commercial trade. The data also highlighted Asia and Africa as primary hotspots of pangolin trafficking.
What is the legal protection status of pangolins in India under domestic and international law?
In India, both the Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) and the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 — the highest level of legal protection, equating to penalties similar to those for tiger and elephant offences. Internationally, both species are listed under CITES Appendix I and are classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
What is WTI's conservation approach for pangolins in Manipur and Nagaland?
Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) secured voluntary conservation agreements from 252 villages in Manipur and Nagaland, where local communities traditionally hunted pangolins. Under these agreements, villages pledged not to hunt, trap, or trade pangolins. This community-led model is considered a best-practice approach to wildlife conservation in Northeast India.
Why is India's Indian pangolin classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List?
The Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List primarily due to heavy poaching for the illegal wildlife trade. Pangolin scales — made of keratin — are falsely believed in traditional Chinese medicine to have curative properties. Combined with habitat loss, this has caused steep population declines, placing the species at high risk of extinction without stronger protection.
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