Illegal trade in pangolins in Nepal: Extent and network

Abstract

There are two species of pangolins –Chinese (Manis pentadactyla) and Indian (M. crassicaudata) – in Nepal. Despite being one of the most illegally traded group of mammals in the world, there is scant information on pangolin trade in Nepal. We synthesized nation-wide information on pangolin seizures for 2015–2020 period to elucidate extent and network of illegal pangolin trade in Nepal. We recorded a total of 56 pangolin seizures in Nepal in 2015–2020 period. Pangolin scales were confiscated in all 56 seizures totaling to 154.12 kg along with confiscation of live and dead pangolins, and whole pangolin hide in some seizures. That amount of scales would have fetched up to $19,922 in local market and the price could reach up to $116,993 in an international black market. At least 209 pangolins could have been killed and illegally traded in Nepal between 2015 and 2020. Pangolin trade is widespread throughout Nepal with seizures recorded from almost a quarter of all 77 districts and almost third of 61 districts where pangolins are found. Most seizures occurred in country’s capital Kathmandu (n = 29). Additionally, we identified districts adjoining Kathmandu, and districts bordering Nepal-China and Nepal-India as major routes and points in pangolin trade network. A total of 95 people were involved in pangolin poaching that included local residents from 26 districts in Nepal. The pool of convicts was dominated by males and Nepali nationals between 20 and 30 years old. Most major ethnic groups in Nepal were involved in pangolin trade with the highest involvement of people from the Tamang ethnicity (36%). Presence of pangolins is reported from all 18 districts from where seizures were recorded and 26 districts from where convicts originated suggesting active involvement of locals in pangolin poaching and trafficking. We have generated baseline information on illegal pangolin trade in Nepal for 2015–2020. We expect that this information will be helpful to law enforcement agencies to curb existing pangolin trade in Nepal.