Save pangolins
before they are gone for good

They’re likely the most trafficked mammals on Earth. Without urgent protection, we could lose them forever. 
 
Hunted for their scales, meat, and claws—or cruelly ripped from the wild for the exotic pet trade—these shy, scaly animals are being pushed toward extinction. 

But there’s hope. Right now, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed listing seven pangolin species as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) — a move that would finally bring all pangolins under ESA protection and ban the sale of pangolins and their parts across state lines in the U.S. 

But this protection isn’t guaranteed. Right now, USFWS is accepting public comments until August 18th—that means we have a rare chance to help save pangolins. But we must act fast.  

For nearly a decade, IFAW has led the fight to protect pangolins. We helped secure global protections under CITES in 2016. But enforcement gaps remain, and the illegal trade continues. 

That’s why we urgently need your support today. 

Add your name to give pangolins the protections they urgently need. We only have 60 days to make our voices heard.

Take action now before August 18 >> 

Pangolins are among the most unique and imperilled species, believed to be the most trafficked wild mammal on the planet. Yet despite being heavily targeted by poachers for their scales, claws, and meat, all but one species remains unprotected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). According to global trafficking data, the equivalent of over 895,000 pangolins were trafficked between 2000 and 2019—a staggering number that underscores the urgency of action. 

Pangolins play a key role in maintaining healthy ecosystems by controlling termite and ant populations. But the illegal wildlife trade continues to devastate their populations, pushing them closer to extinction. Pangolins suffer not only from habitat loss, but also from the cruelty of capture, transport, and sale—often across international borders in conditions that endanger both animal welfare and public health. 

The US is a significant player in global wildlife trade, and by listing all pangolin species under the ESA, the government can help reduce demand, restrict interstate sales, and set a precedent for other nations to follow.  

In 2016, the US helped to secure the strongest protections for pangolins under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), effectively banning international trade. Listing pangolins under the Endangered Species Act will finally align protections for pangolins at the US level, banning trade across state lines.  

I urge the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to act swiftly to list all eight pangolin species as Endangered under the ESA. Protecting pangolins through this listing will help curb illegal trade, support international conservation efforts, and ensure these remarkable animals have a future in the wild. 

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