World’s most trafficked animal: Poachers target the pangolin for Chinese medicine.

Is This the Most Trafficked Animal in the World?

Slate
Science
The state of the universe.
March 18 2014 2:37 PM

Is This the Most Trafficked Animal in the World? 

The pointless slaughter of the pangolin.

A new report suggests that the pangolin is threatened by poachers seeking their hardy scales, which fetch up to $200 per kilogram in the Chinese medicine trade. The adorably awkward critter lacks the conservation awareness of other mammals like rhinos and elephants.

Paca Thomas is a regular video contributor to Slate.

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