Four people have been arrested in South Africa’s Free State province after authorities allegedly caught them attempting to sell a critically endangered pangolin for 80,000 rand (about NZ$7,300).
The suspects, aged between 47 and 62, are due to appear in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court facing charges under South Africa’s biodiversity and animal protection laws.
According to authorities, members of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit and Welkom’s Anti-Gang Unit acted on intelligence indicating a group was attempting to trade the protected animal. Officers launched an operation on June 4 and allegedly intercepted the suspects while they were trying to complete the sale.
Police said the four were travelling in a blue Toyota Quest when they were apprehended. The pangolin was seized and placed in the care of wildlife authorities.
Pangolins are among the world’s most trafficked mammals and are highly sought after by illegal wildlife traders. Their scales and meat can fetch high prices on the black market, particularly for use in traditional medicines, despite there being no scientific evidence supporting many of the claimed health benefits.
Conservation groups have long warned that illegal poaching and trafficking are driving several pangolin species towards extinction. The animals are protected under international conservation agreements and strict national wildlife laws.
The head of the Hawks in the Free State praised officers involved in the operation, saying the arrests represented an important step in protecting one of the world’s most vulnerable and heavily targeted wildlife species.
Image credit: Getty Images
Pangolin are funky little critters. Who wouldn’t want for a pet.
Don’t take them to a wet market in China though. I’ve heard they can create a bit of trouble. If you can believe that.
Some asian practices put a bad light onto traditional medicines.
Must be hard to live with small noodels, xcuse the pun.