My Scales are there to protect ME

Hello, dear human who is reading this. You must be a nature enthusiast or simply just a kind-hearted person if you are willing to listen to the seemingly most irrelevant mammal on earth. But since you’re already here let me tell you my story. I am Manis crassicaudata, but mostly known by my common name, the Indian Pangolin or anteater. And yes, I do just that. I am an insectivore, I feed on ants and termites. I am very well known for my ecological duty on earth which is to be the natural controller of ants and many other pest populations. Aside from that, I am a very shy and nocturnal mammal. I am rarely seen near human habitats. Instead, I prefer earthen burrows and dry grasslands.

The most interesting gift mother nature has given me is my coat of scales. This bodily armor protects me from predators and the vicious bites of many insects. These overlapping scales cover my entire body, allowing me to contribute in nature playing my part while evading dangerous threats. Yet there is one great hunter that I cannot elude with my gifted skin. The satire is quite humorous as I have fallen prey to this grand predator, because of the very thing which protects me from other dangers I am met within the wild. And as you have guessed it this great predator of mine is none other than the Human.

For decades I have been trying to avoid the ravenous eyes of humans. Many of us are taken from our homes and killed for our meat. It’s heartbreaking to imagine how we are slaughtered in masses because our meat is considered a luxurious human feast. So-called poaching is done by carefully avoiding the legal systems in many parts of the world due to the high demand for our flesh as exotic delicacies of wild meat. In some parts of Asia, being able to afford Pangolin meat is considered a mark of high social status. Poachers have been getting smarter and coming up with rather strategic traps to lure us in, and pierce through our hard skin. Our skins are dried up and molded into different types of ornaments and our scales are collected to make souvenirs for buyers with exotic tastes.

Meanwhile, in some parts of the world, humans believe that I have special healing abilities. They believe that my skin holds secret remedies to many illnesses. Ancient East Asian practices include crushing my scales into powder and administrating it to people suffering from different health issues. Even though these beliefs are not backed with any scientific evidence, people continue to believe that my blood and scales can enhance their health and lifestyle.

And because of this, my species is fading fast. Soon no one will ever hear about an anteater. And also, because generally, one pangolin procreates one baby per year, our numbers have decreased greatly within the last couple of decades.

As heartbreaking as it is to watch the same world we were born into trying to snuff us out, many people have stepped up to take action against our unjust exile. In some areas of Zimbabwe, pangolins are considered pets and are rescued and taken care of. And because we have been leaving the earth at a brisk pace, many rules and regulations regarding poaching and disturbing of our natural habitats had been formed and put into action. Active authorities are trying to locate trafficking routes, and many of us get sent to sanctuaries if we are lucky enough to survive the brutality of trafficking. Even when we arrive at these new safe homes, most of us had been beaten or suffer severe wounds which cause lifelong disabilities.  

Dear human, I know I might not be the most attractive, or the most relevant mammal in the world, but I am slowly disappearing into oblivion. Many haven’t even seen a pangolin, and at this rate, many never will. I understand that you cannot do much, but if you can, please do this little. Raising awareness about the threats we are facing, and bringing these inhuman practices to the light of the proper laws, and encouraging organizations that help rehabilitate trafficked pangolins, just might be our last hope to stay on this earth a little longer.

And also, dear human, please remember that my scaly skin is meant to protect me. Grinding it into powder to uplift someone’s health means little to nothing if it was taken at the expense of a helpless creature.        

Rtr. Dinili Gunasena

Image credits:

• Infographic post by: Rtr. Theshani Abeysuriya

References :

• https://www.awf.org/blog/27-million-pangolins-are-poached-every-year-scales-and-meat