Stakeholders lament illegal trade of pangolins

…Say mammal likely to go into extinction

…Advise youths to use Al, emerging tech to preserve wildlife

Stakehokders have expressed worry over illegal trade of pangolins in the world, warning that the mammal could go into extinction if necessary steps are not taken to stop their hunting and killing.

The experts made the call during the celebration of the World Pangolin Day 2025 by the Pangolin Conservation Guild Nigeria led by Olajumoke Morenikeji, a professor at the Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan (UI) and Deputy Vice Chancellor, KolaDaisi University,

with the theme: ‘Youth Legacy for Pangolin Conservation.’

The event, which was held at the ultramodern Multipurpose Hall, International School, Ibadan, UI, Oyo State, with a special feature on ‘Young Conservationists’ Leadership Summit 1.0 had

Oluwakayode Coker, a doctorate degree holder at the Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Management, UI, as guest lecturer and Alexander Bababunmi Odaibo, a professor and President of the Zoological Society of Nigeria (ZSN).

In his address, Coker said: “Pangolin, of course, is the most illegally traded mammal in the world. We are fighting to make sure that these animals are not wiped out. We have to guard against the extinction of these animals, because a lot of people are coming into the country to take as many as they can take from our wild and it is important for us to join hands together especially the youths to make sure that this trend is stopped.”

According to Coker, everyone must guard against the extinction of pangolins because many people, especially foreigners are taking as many as they can from our wild and it is imperative that all hands be on deck to stop the overexploitation of the pangolin.

While urging youths to make use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies to prevent endangered species from going into extinction, she maintained that the youth must harness the power of AI for the preservation of wildlife, especially endangered species such as the pangolins.

Read also: PCGN to raise pangolin conservation awareness among youths

The scholar emphasised that it was important to spread awareness, saying many people do not even know about pangolins.

“We are engaging the youths because they are the future, and they have the technical knowledge of how to ensure that more people are reached. We do not want to be telling the stories of these animals, but we want the future generations to see them live and enjoy what they do to the environment,” he said.

Coker stated that it was possible to stop the hunting and trafficking of pangolins and other endangered species by stopping the demand. He pointed out that once the demand is stopped, there would be no supply.

He said: “I believe that pangolin trafficking can be stopped, and this is possible by stopping the demands. When there is no demand, there won’t be supply.

“The demands are mostly from the Asian countries, though studies and research have shown that our people here also use pangolins for traditional medicine because they believe it has some mystical powers. They believe their scales can be used to cure cancer and several other diseases, but no scientific research has proven this. For example, why do we have to kill an animal to get calcium from its bones when we can get calcium elsewhere?

“My advice to everybody is that pangolin is important to the environment and the ecosystem at large, and not only pangolin but every other wildlife has what they do to stabilise the ecosystem.

“I want us to know that when any animal goes extinct, the human population itself begins to feel the impact on the ecosystem. Many of those animals have been here before us, and that is because we need them. When we kill them, it is a suicidal mission.”

On her part, the convener of the World Pangolin Day, Morenikeji said the celebration was to create awareness that would help the pangolins so that they do not go into extinction as they are already endangered and on the brink of extinction.

The DVC urged Nigerians not to let any animal go extinct as it will create an imbalance in the ecosystem, biodiversity loss, and negatively affect the general well-being of humans.

The professor also urged the government to do more in enforcing the laws that are in place to protect species that are endangered.

“We are using today to create awareness that will help the pangolin survive. Pangolins help control insect populations, particularly ants and termites, preventing infestations and maintaining soil health.

By digging for food, pangolins naturally aerate the soil, which improves nutrient cycling and plant growth. As part of the food chain, they contribute to a balanced ecosystem, serving as prey for larger predators.

“Also, pangolins have unique immune systems that may offer insights for disease research.

Despite their ecological importance, they are critically endangered due to poaching and habitat loss, making their conservation vital.”

“We have laws in place protecting these endangered species, but enforcement is the issue. The government has to do more in enforcing the laws. All the agencies that are connected to protecting our wildlife should brace up.

“In addition, when we tell people to stop hunting and selling pangolins, there must be an alternative for them, something to fall back on. There is a need for the provision of alternative livelihood for hunters and bushmeat sellers. The government and well-meaning members of the populace can help in this direction. There are organisations like ours that are ready to spearhead this with the right funding.

“We must do more. Yes, I know customs is doing really well, NESREA, the National Park Service, are trying, but we must do more. There have been arrests of culprits found in possession of pangolins and other endangered species, prosecutions, and jailing, but we need to do more. I want to see more of that so that people will get it straight that it is a crime to hunt, possess, kill, handle, or take away from forests, animals that are endangered.”

The professor also urged the youth to get engaged in the conservation and preservation of wildlife so that future generations could enjoy what these animals could give to the ecosystem and for biodiversity richness.

Morenikeji said: “The youths are very critical when it comes to biodiversity preservation because the future is in their hands. So, in order to ensure that we have a future that is rich in biodiversity, we are engaging youths and students to ensure that they protect everything around them in the environment.

“I’m happy that we are able to have the young conservationists’ leadership summit 1.0. We handed the young conservationist trailblazer award to a youth today to encourage others to dive into the business of conservation.”

Other stakeholders who spoke at the event emphasised the importance of preserving the pangolins and all other endangered species, noting that the ecosystem needs all the animals to be balanced.

The programme featured a debate among some secondary school students in Ibadan, presentation of awards and prizes to the winners of an essay writing competition, a cultural display by the cultural troupe from Oyo and others. For the debate, St. Annes Junior School 2 emerged winner while St. Annes Senior School 1 and Abadina College were the first and second runners-up respectively. The young conservationist trailblazer award went to Nathaniel Owolabi

Stakeholders from the Zoological Society of Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Environment, the National Park Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency [NESREA], Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Foundation Wildlife Park, Animal Rights Association, Wildlife of Africa Conservation Initiative, students from several universities across the country, among others graced the occasion. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Rufford Grants, IdeaWild supported the event.