Police in China’s port city of Fangchenggang have seized 39 pangolins from a car and taken one suspect into custody following an early morning traffic stop on January 24.
Photos of the seizure depict two pangolin species: Chinese pangolins (Manis pentadactyla) and Sunda pangolins (Manis javanica). Both species are protected by national and international laws, and classified by the IUCN as Endangered.
Suspicions were aroused when the vehicle, which was occupied by two men, seemed unusually heavy when it passed through a Fangchenggang highway toll station. According to Chinanews.com, police followed the car, which was driving erratically, for five kilometers before forcing the driver to pull over. One of the suspects immediately fled the scene.
The pangolins were hidden inside a “special compartment” under the seat; officers also found falsified license plates. Although the pangolins were found alive, it is highly unlikely that any will survive the ordeal.
Last year, at least four pangolin seizures totaling 187 pangolins occurred in or near Fangchenggang in Guangxi, which borders Vietnam. In addition, China sentenced one pangolin smuggler to three years in jail with three and a half years probation, plus a $4,762 fine. Another was sent to jail for six months and fined $826.
- The third annual World Pangolin Day will be celebrated on February 15, 2014.
- An estimated 8,125 pangolins were confiscated in 49 instances of illegal trade across 13 countries in 2013.
- Learn more about Asian pangolins: Listen to our “State of the Asian Pangolin” podcast.
Rhishja Cota
I am the founder of Annamiticus and I have been researching and writing about wildlife trafficking issues since 2009. I also founded World Pangolin Day in 2012. I am the author of USAID Wildlife Asia's Pangolin Species Identification Guide: A Rapid Assessment Tool for Field and Desk. I co-facilitated and was a presenter at the USAID Wildlife Asia Pangolin Care Workshop. At the 4th Regional Dialogue on Combating Trafficking of Wild Fauna and Flora, I facilitated the species roundtables on pangolins. I have trekked with forest rangers in Cambodia, journeyed to the streets of Hanoi to research the illegal wildlife trade, and to the rainforests of Sumatra and Java to document the world’s rarest rhinos. At CITES meetings, I collaborate with colleagues from around the world to lobby in favor of protecting endangered species. I hosted the Behind the Schemes podcast and am the author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine. I enjoy music, desert gardening, herping, reading, creating, and walking with my dogs. Check out my t-shirts and stickers at snoots + teefers.