The Mozambican authorities arrested at least
100 people in 2019 accused of trafficking in Pangolin, an animal known
worldwide as being endangered. Of those arrested, four were sentenced to
between 12 and 16 years in prison.
A total of 31 trafficking cases were recorded
in the provinces of Niassa and Nampula (North), Sofala, Tete and Manica
(centre), and Maputo (South), in incursions motivated by strong demand for the
animal, with the Asian black market being the main destination.
"The unbridled demand for the animal
highlights the critical nature of the species threat in Mozambique," said
Mateus Mutemba, head of government conservation agency ANAC, in the context of
Pangolim national week. "We have to be on alert"
In the Mozambican tradition, Pangolim is called
Eka (in the north), Nkawale (in the center) and Halakavuma (in the south) and
has an invaluable cultural social value.
The animal is associated with myths. Some
believe it is sent by God for prosperity, rainfall, and good harvests.
Sometimes the animal is seen as a messenger of negative events such as drought
and other climatic phenomena.
Before globalization, these myths and beliefs
contributed to the survival of the species. However, the increase in demand for
traditional Asian medicine caused a rapid decline in the population of
Pangolin, even damaging the Mozambican economy.
"The illegal trade in wildlife products
not only creates an imbalance in ecosystems and loss of biodiversity,"
said Mutemba, "but it also damages the country's economy by taking away
the opportunity to generate employment and income for local communities through
the wildlife-based economy and legal trade.
Official figures from the United Nations World
Environment Program point to just over a million pangolins trafficked to the
Asian black market in the last 10 years. In the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) region alone, of which Mozambique is a member, there are an
estimated 50,000 pangolins slaughtered each year for illegal trade purposes.
The Pangolin is considered the most trafficked
mammal in the world, surpassing ivory and the rhinoceros horn. The animal plays
a very important role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems, being
responsible for controlling some pests such as ants and termites, keeping the soil
airy and fertile for agricultural production.
"The animal is important... very
important" Mutemba Said. "We will continue to make efforts to prevent
trafficking" he added warning that ANAC will continue to arrest and impose
various fines for the principals, hunters, traffickers, among others involved
in illegal activities against the species.
In the surveillance Mozambique has the support
of the United States Agency for Development (ISAID). It was this organization that developed a
Pangolim manual in Portuguese - the official language of the country - in order
to support the identification of the scales of this mammal by the Customs,
Migration and Police authorities.
Pangolin, elephants and rhinoceroses are the
species most under threat from poaching in Mozambique.
