The Poaching of Pangolins

Skyler Opromolla

           Poaching has been an issue in our society for far too long. Animals have been preyed on for body parts by humans for many different reasons, including medicinal, economical, and cultural reasons. There is one animal, however, that is poached more than any other animal and yet most people don’t even know what they look like when they hear the name. These mammals are called Pangolins. Pangolins have hard scales that make up the exterior of their body. These scales are commonly harvested for “traditional medicine, fashion, and even eaten in high end cuisine.” Their scales are made of keratin, which is the same thing that our hair and nails are made of. There is absolutely no reason to destroy an entire species of mammals based on the fact that certain people consider the scales imperative for their use, even though they have daily access to the resource the scales are made of.

            Pangolins have been on the decline for decades now and they may soon face extinction if this issue is not brought to light. “More than one million pangolins have been poached in the past decade.” Even though it is so clearly against all laws to hunt and sell these innocent creatures, they are constantly in demand on the black market and criminals find loopholes and ways around any enforcement that may protect them. In one incident, “4.4 tonnes of pangolin scales confiscated… valued at 1.25 million dollars.” It is insane to murder so many of these animals for the sake of money. 

            This issue relates to our class because a huge part of what we learned is sustainability. A part of understanding sustainability is understanding that our actions have consequences. We can not murder any animals because of our selfish ways. Pangolins play an essential role in the ecosystem. They tend to the soil and they are considered, “all-natural pest control.” They improve the soil’s quality by digging into the ground and mixing everything around. “Their underground burrows also provide habitat for other animals.” It is important to value these animals so that they may allow our world to prosper.

            I have very strong convictions against poaching any type of animal, especially when they are imperative for a healthy environment. I’ve attached an article about the poaching of pangolins and how we can help below.*

https://www.dw.com/image/48272816_303.jpg

https://www.nationalgeographic.com.au/animals/what-is-the-worlds-most-poached-animal.aspx

https://www.pangolins.org/2011/11/01/pangolins-natural-pest-controllers-and-soil-caretakers/

https://www.worldanimalprotection.us/news/pangolin-poaching-brutal-reality*

Pacific Islands seek unity to fight climate change

Dante D'Ambro  

The effects of climate change have devastated Pacific Islands to a major degree. Ideally, Pacific Island seek help and unity to fight climate change. Many of these Island countries are striving to migrate the effects of climate change. The U.N. climate panel reported that the oceans are warming, and glaciers are melting at an accelerated rate, meaning storms will be more severe and sea levels will rise. Furthermore, this threatens the wellbeing of Island nations as they could become inhabitable. In the article, it identifies that a dozen Island countries are particularly vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters. The article addresses the unity within the Pacific Island countries and the promises held by countries to reduce carbon emissions. The largest emitters China, India, and the United States were not on the list. The Pacific Islands are echoing their concerns to the global community as the effects of climate change persist. In relation to our course, this article deals with the environment. Analysis of the interconnectedness of ecological processes will further our understanding. Ecosystems are deteriorating as climate change is a definitive environmental problem. In ecology, we unravel the roots of climate change and the effects it has on our planet. The changing climate impacts society and ecosystems in a broad variety of ways. For example, climate change can alter rainfall, influence crop yields, affect human health, cause changes to forests and other ecosystems, and even impact our energy supply. There are effective steps that could alleviate the effects of climate change. Some include tropical forest restoration, using wind turbines rather than fossil fuels, reducing food waste. Additionally, our economy exists within and depends on our environment. To sustain a healthy economy, we need a healthy environment. If the environment degrades, our economy also suffers. The climate emergency we currently face requires adequate and immediate action. It is one of the most pervasive and threatening crises of our time.  Ultimately, solving climate change takes a global effort. With enough pressure, we can push leaders to start responsibly phasing out coal, oil, and gas while prioritizing support for disadvantaged communities and workers most affected by moving to safer, more caring economy.  

Fiona Goodall/Getty Images for Lumix


Westerman, Ashley. “'We Need Support': Pacific Islands Seek Help And Unity To Fight Climate Change.” NPR, NPR, 5 Oct. 2019, https://www.npr.org/2019/10/05/764570478/we-need-support-pacific-islands-seek-help-and-unity-to-fight-climate-change.