Explore Nature Around Iconic Locations.

This year is indeed special. More focus has been placed on the internet and other ways of doing vital things such as organizing forums and raising awareness on the environment. The monthly event of June 2020 is another way or means of raising awareness and helping to save and sustain biodiversity.

Prior to the reception of the theme for the monthly event, I had already received newsletters from World Environmental Day (UNEP) since I was already subscribed to their newsletter via my E-mail. Of all the vital information in the newsletter, my attention was drawn to an online quiz that was attached to it. Without wasting anytime I visited the website and took the quiz. I did not get everything right but it was very informative and fun.

Upon reception to the monthly event for the month, I retook the quiz again and this time I had everything right. I was more focused on the questions embedded in the quiz and I was amazed to come across the Pangolin which was the answer to the first question of the quiz. I was keen on knowing why it was the most trafficked mammal on earth and since this report requires me to write about one animal, I am going for the Pangolin.

(Meet the Pangolin)

Mostly found in Africa and Asia, the pangolin has about eight different species of which two are endangered and another two are critically endangered. The pangolin is a mammal, which means it belongs to the class Mammalia under Kingdom Animalia (Any biology student can confirm this). They are the only mammals wholly-covered in scales and they use those scales to protect themselves from predators in the wild. If under threat, a pangolin will immediately curl into a tight ball and will use their sharp-scaled tails to defend themselves. It is fascinating to know how this defensive mechanism is diploid. Some videos are available on YouTube showing this. Pangolins have no teeth and are known to eat ant, larvae, and termites using its tongue which is very long in length.

They are the most trafficked mammals for their meat and scales. In China and Vietnam (Based on research), the pangolin is trafficked into mainly these two countries for their meat which is considered a delicacy, and their scales which is used for medicine. Per the research, I was glad to know that both China and Vietnam have both signed on to stop the trafficking of the pangolin into their country. So it is now up to us to be watchdogs and report anybody who may be involved in the trafficking of the mammal to the authorities for appropriate punishment to be metered out to them. This should also apply to all other endangered species of animals and trees such as rosewood. A better tomorrow needs a better planning, save living things to sustain biodiversity.

Green Cheers from Ghana!