Pangolins proposed for U.S. Endangered Species Act protections

(June 16, 2025 – Washington, DC) – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed listing seven species of pangolins as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, a move that would strengthen trade and import restrictions within the United States and underscore the species’ critical conservation status. 

Pangolins are the most trafficked wild mammals in the world and are heavily trafficked for their scales, which are used in traditional medicine, and their meat. Despite significant declines in all eight pangolin species due to demand, including demand in the United States, only one pangolin species is currently listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

“I’m delighted the United States is doing its part to save these adorably odd creatures,” said Sarah Uhlemann, international program director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Pangolins are on the razor’s edge of extinction, and we need to completely shut down any US market for their scales. There’s no good reason for anybody to ingest any part of a pangolin.”

While pangolins received certain commercial trade protections under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in 2017 and seizures have declined, trafficking and trade continues.

In April Nigerian authorities seized nearly four tons of trafficked pangolin scales, which represents about 2,000 pangolins killed. An Indonesian raid in November 2024 found 1.2 tons of scales being trafficked. And US demand continues. The most recent publicly available data shows that US border officials seized 76 shipments of pangolin parts between 2016 and 2020, including scales and medicinal products.

"This long-awaited announcement from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is a victory for pangolins," said Jeff Flocken, Chief International Officer for Humane World for Animals. "All vulnerable animals, but certainly the world's most trafficked mammal, deserve to be protected from being exploited for profit.”

Pangolins are known for their unusual looks—sometimes described as a pinecone with legs—and their tendency to curl up into a ball when frightened. Four species of pangolins inhabit Asia and four live in Africa, and all species are in grave danger of extinction. Scientists have suggested that two more species of pangolins may exist. One pangolin species, the Temminck’s ground pangolin from Africa, is already protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

“This is a pivotal moment for pangolin conservation,” said Danielle Kessler, US Country Director at IFAW. “Ten years ago, our groups petitioned to list pangolins as endangered due to the extreme levels of poaching and trafficking that were driving population declines. Sadly, those threats have not abated, and seizures of pangolins, and their part and products, are all too common. By recognizing the urgent need to protect pangolin species under the ESA, the US is taking a leadership role in combating wildlife trafficking and preserving biodiversity.”

If finalized, an ESA endangered listing would prohibit the import and interstate sale of pangolin parts in the United States, except for scientific or other conservation purposes. Listing would also heighten global awareness about pangolins and the threats they face and open potential funding for anti-trafficking and habitat-conservation efforts.

“Dragging its heels for no legitimate reason, the Fish and Wildlife Service is finally acknowledging the global scientific consensus that’s existed for more than a decade that pangolins—the most trafficked wild mammals—are in deep trouble and need our help,” said Zak Smith, global biodiversity conservation director at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). “At the close of the public comment period, the Service should immediately finalize the listing, giving pangolins the protections they deserve.”

Today’s proposal comes in response to a 2015 petition to list the species and a 2020 legal agreement between conservation and animal welfare organizations and the Fish and Wildlife Service to enforce listing deadlines. Comments to support the proposal to list the seven species are due August 18, 2025.

//ENDS

Contacts:

Sarah Uhlemann, Center for Biological Diversity, (206) 327-2344, suhlemann@biologicaldiversity.org

Abby Cohen, Rosen Group/IFAW, (973) 224-0403, Abby@rosengrouppr.com

Rodi Rosensweig, Humane World for Animals, (202) 809-8711, rrosensweig@humaneworld.org
Liz Bartolomeo, Humane World Action Fund, (240) 742-0475, ebartolomeo@humaneaction.org

Andrew Scibetta, Natural Resources Defense Council, (202) 289-2421, ascibetta@NRDC.org

The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.7 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places. www.biologicaldiversity.org

About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)  
IFAW is a global non-profit helping animal and people thrive together. We are experts and everyday people, working across seas, oceans, and in more than 40 countries around the world. We rescue, rehabilitate, and release animals, and we restore and protect their natural habitats. The problems we’re up against are urgent and complicated. To solve them, we match fresh thinking with bold action. We partner with local communities, governments, non-governmental organisations, and businesses. Together, we pioneer new and innovative ways to help all species flourish. See how at ifaw.org 

About Humane World for Animals and Humane World Action Fund
For over 70 years, the Humane World family has worked to tackle the root causes of animal cruelty and suffering to permanent change. Formerly called the Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society International and Humane Society Legislative Fund, we operate in over 50 countries with millions of supporters. Through advocacy, policy change, public education and direct care, we work to end the cruelest practices, care for animals in crisis and build a stronger animal protection movement. Together, we are creating a humane world. humaneworld.org  humaneaction.org

About NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council)
NRDC is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).