The emergence of a commercial trade in pangolins from Gabon |
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| Authors: | Meine M. Mambeya Francesca Baker Brice R. Momboua Aurélie Flore Koumba Pambo Martin Hega Vivien Joseph Okouyi Okouyi Martial Onanga Daniel W. S. Challender Daniel J. Ingram Hongyan Wang Katharine Abernethy |
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| Affiliation: | 1. North East Agricultural University of Harbin, Harbin, China;2. Institute for Conservation Science, Imperial College London, London, UK;3. Département de Biologie, Faculté des Sciences, University des Sciences et Techniques de Masuku, Franceville, Gabon;4. Agence Nationale des Parcs Nationaux, Libreville, Gabon;5. Centre National de Recherches Scientifiques et Technologies, Libreville, Gabon;6. Wildife Conservation Society Gabon, Libreville, Gabon;7. Institut de Recherche en Ecologie Tropicale, Libreville, Gabon;8. IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group, The Zoological Society of London, London, UK;9. Durrell Institute of Conservation & Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK;10. School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK;11. African Forest Ecology Group, Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK |
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| Abstract: | Recent seizures of illegally held wildlife indicate a mounting global trade in pangolins involving all eight species. Seizures of illegally traded African pangolins are increasing as wild populations of Asian species decline. We investigated trade in pangolins and law enforcement efforts in Gabon; a country likely to have intact wild populations of three of the four species of African pangolin. We compared village sales and trade chains between 2002‐2003 and 2014. Hunters reported pangolins to be the most frequently requested species in 2014, and the value of pangolins had increased at every point along their trade chain. In Libreville, giant pangolin prices increased 211% and arboreal pangolin prices 73% whilst inflation rose only 4.6% over the same period. We documented a low rate of interception of illegally traded pangolins despite increased law enforcement. Surveys of potential export routes detected exports across forest borders, in conjunction with ivory, but not through public transport routes. We conclude that whilst there is clear potential and likelihood that a wild pangolin export trade is emerging from Gabon, traditional bushmeat trade chains may not be the primary supply route. We recommend adjusting conservation policies and actions to impede further development of illegal trade within and from Gabon . |
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| Keywords: | bushmeat Gabon hunting illegal wildlife trade pangolins |
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