Protecting Wildlife:

MINFOF burns 3 tones of Pangolin scales in public

The ceremony on Friday 17 February 2017, of the burning of Pangoling scales, was part of events to mark the World Pangolin Day celebrated on Saturday 18 February.

By Rachel NtubeNgwese in Yaounde

Minister Ngole Philip setting tons of pangolin scales ablaze

Some 3000kg of pangolin scales were on Friday 17 February 2017 burnt publicly in Yaounde. The Minister of Forestry and Wildlife, Ngole Philip Ngwese set fire on the sacks and cartons containing the scales, under the watchful eyes of representatives of the diplomatic missions in Yaounde and stakeholder ministries and NGOs.

                Speaking on the occasion, Minister NgoleNgwese said the objective of the public burning is to discourage the hunting and trafficking of Pangolins and their scales. He noted that Pangolins are today one of the most heavily trafficked mammals in the world. And the craving for their meat and scales is driving them closer towards extinction.

                “Unless we act now, we risk losing our Pangolins,” NgoleNgwese warned, noting that after noticing the indiscriminate poaching of Pangolins and the unbridled trafficking of their scales, the Cameroon government uplisted all species of Pangolins in Appendix 1 of the convention of International Trade in Endangered species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

                “According to Article 6 of the Ministerial Order No 0648/MINFOF of 18 December 2006, which classifies wildlife in Cameroon in three categories (A,B,C) based on the level of threats, all species in CITES Appendix 1 are automatically listed in class A, meaning that they are fully protected,” the minister explained, noting that the recent large seizures and confiscation of Pangolin scales by MINFOF agents only seeks to enforce and emphasize this law in order to ensure survival of Pangolins.

                During the ceremony at the esplanade of the Centre regional delegation of MINFOF, Minister Ngole underscored Cameroon’s resolve to play a leading and exemplary role in improving law enforcement efforts to better protect Pangolins.

                He noted that of the eight species of Pangolins existing in the world, 4 species are found in Central Africa while 3 species are hosted in Cameroon. All three species in Cameroon are totally protected, he emphasized.

                Admitting that government action alone cannot suffice to stop poaching, trafficking, consumption and the sale of Pangolins and their scales at local, national, regional  and international levels, Minister Ngole Philip Ngwese enjoined local communities, NGOs and the private sector to put all hands on deck so that Pangolins can be protected and conserved.

    About Pangolins

                Pangolins are the only mammals in the world with scales. Their scales are rich in Keratin, the same substance contained in human nails and rhinoceros horns.

                When threatened, Pangolins curl into a ball, shielding their body with their tough scales. Though this action protects them from the wrath of predators, it however makes it easier for humans to pick them up.

                The three Central African Pangolins are nocturnal, solitary and shy. They give birth to only one offspring per year.

                Pangolins live predominantly on ants and termites. This specialized diet makes it difficult to keep them in captivity.

                The three species in Cameroon are the giant Pangolin, the black bellied Pangolin and the white-bellied Pangolin.