KARACHI: The population of the Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) has drastically declined due to poaching, illegal trade, habitat loss, retaliatory killings and climate change. We need to take immediate action to save the declining population of this endangered species.

This was stated by the World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan (WWF-Pakistan) in its press release on the World Pangolin Day, which is observed on the third Saturday of February.

It stated that the Indian pangolin was the only pangolin species found in Pakistan, which was classified as endangered in the IUCN Red List of Species with a declining population trend.

In Pakistan, particularly in the Potohar region, the species has disappeared from 80 per cent of its former range. While exact population estimates are challenging to determine, the overall population has drastically declined.

According to experts, pangolins are heavily hunted for their scales, which are used in traditional medicine and illegal trade. Urbanisation, agricultural expansion and deforestation are also reducing their natural habitat.

Further, studies indicate that Pakistan is a transit route for the international smuggling of pangolin scales, primarily to China and Southeast Asia. All these challenges are putting the survival of pangolins at risk.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2025