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 United States 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 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 the remaining seven pangolin species as 'Endangered' under the ESA ensuring all eight species are therefore protected. Protecting all pangolin species through this listing is the most impactful way to help curb illegal trade, support international conservation efforts, and give these remarkable animals the chance of a brighter future in the wild where they belong.