Facts about Pangolin Scale Uses
- 05
Historical records show pangolin scales were used by soldiers in some Asian cultures as material for armor and protective clothing before modern materials existed.
- 04
Demand for pangolin scales used in traditional medicine has made pangolins the most trafficked wild mammals in the world, with hundreds of thousands seized by authorities annually.
- 03
Across parts of West Africa, pangolin scales are worn as talismans believed to offer protection against evil spirits and witchcraft.
- 02
In China, pangolin scales have been listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia as a treatment for conditions including poor circulation and inflammation, driving massive illegal demand.
- 01
Pangolin scales are made of keratin, the same protein found in human fingernails, yet are heavily trafficked for use in traditional medicine despite no proven efficacy.