Genetic Mapping to Trace Global Pangolin Trafficking Networks

On May 7, 2026, researchers published a breakthrough population genomics study utilizing an advanced "genetic map" to trace illegally trafficked pangolins to their exact geographic origins, helping authorities disrupt international wildlife smuggling networks.

Pangolins

  • Also called scaly anteaters because of their preferred diet, pangolins are the most trafficked mammal in the world—with demand primarily in Asia and in growing amounts in Africa—for their meat and scales.
  • There are currently eight species of pangolin recognized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), ranging from vulnerable to critically endangered.

Why are Pangolins Trafficked?

  • Scales used in traditional medicine.
  • Meat consumed in illegal ....
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Ecology & Environment