Pangolins on the Brink: Why the World’s Most Trafficked Mammal Needs Our Voice
- Asia Wild
- 20 hours ago
- 3 min read
And why the new Netflix documentary, Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey, is a must-watch
They are quiet, shy, and covered in armored scales—but behind their gentle nature lies a harsh truth: Pangolins are the most illegally trafficked mammals in the world.
Despite their importance to ecosystems and their elusive charm, all eight species of Pangolin are now threatened with extinction. Four are found across Asia, and all are listed as either Endangered or Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Their steep decline is largely due to the illegal wildlife trade, driven by demand for their scales in traditional medicine and their meat as a delicacy in parts of Asia.
Illegal Trade of Pangolins: A Multi-Billion Dollar Black Market
Pangolin scales are made of keratin—the same material as human fingernails—yet they are falsely believed to hold medicinal properties in some cultures. This myth has fueled a multi-billion-dollar black market. According to a 2020 UN report, more than 1 million Pangolins were trafficked over the past decade, with seizures of scales increasing dramatically between 2014 and 2019.
Most of these animals are taken from the wild, cruelly poached and smuggled across borders in horrific conditions. Once caught, their survival rate is grim—even those rescued from traffickers often suffer from stress-related illnesses and poor nutrition.
How Conservationists Are Working to Save Pangolins from Extinction
Organizations across Asia, including several of Asia Wild’s partners, are working tirelessly to protect and rehabilitate Pangolins. Sanctuaries are building specialized enclosures to mimic natural habitats, researchers are tracking populations in the wild, and anti-poaching units are patrolling known trafficking hotspots.
Yet funding remains limited—and the threat continues to outpace intervention.
To change this, awareness must grow.
Meet Kulu: A Story of Hope on Netflix
Enter Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey—a new Netflix documentary launching this year that offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the life of a rescued Ground Pangolin named Kulu. Filmed over five years by award-winning wildlife filmmakers, this documentary follows Kulu from his rescue as a tiny orphan in Namibia to his rewilding in protected grasslands.
While Kulu is an African species, the story is deeply relevant across Asia, where Asian Pangolins face even steeper declines. This film is not just a visual marvel—it’s a call to action, highlighting the stakes of Pangolin conservation and the lengths to which caretakers go to save just one life.
As one conservationist in the film puts it: “If we can’t save a creature as unique as the Pangolin, what does that say about our commitment to protecting biodiversity?”
How You Can Help Save Pangolins Today
Watch and share Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey on Netflix to help spread awareness.
Support rescue centers that provide safe rehabilitation for trafficked wildlife.
Speak out against wildlife trafficking—many still don’t know Pangolins exist, let alone that they’re vanishing.
Donate to organizations like Asia Wild, whose partners are on the ground every day, caring for rescued Pangolins and fighting for their future.
Pangolins have survived for over 80 million years—but they may not survive us.
With awareness, action, and support, we can ensure that Kulu’s journey isn’t the last of its kind.
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