Pangolin (Mammal) | Environment for UPSC 2026 (Pre & Mains) PDF Download

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PANGOLIN (MAMMAL) 
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PANGOLIN (MAMMAL) PANGOLIN 
Chinese Pangolin – Critically Endangered 
Indian Pangolin – Endangered 
Obsession for its supposedly medicinal scales in China is 
believed to have made the ant-eating Chinese Pangolin, 
one of two species found in South Asia, extinct in India. 
The pangolin is the most trafficked mammal in the world.  
Though hunted for its meat across the northeastern States 
and in central India, the demand for its scales in China has 
made it the most critically endangered animal in less than 
a decade. 
The world needs to tell China that pangolin scales – like 
rhino horns – are made of keratin that produces human 
hair and nails and has no medicinal value. 
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PANGOLIN (MAMMAL) PANGOLIN 
Chinese Pangolin – Critically Endangered 
Indian Pangolin – Endangered 
Obsession for its supposedly medicinal scales in China is 
believed to have made the ant-eating Chinese Pangolin, 
one of two species found in South Asia, extinct in India. 
The pangolin is the most trafficked mammal in the world.  
Though hunted for its meat across the northeastern States 
and in central India, the demand for its scales in China has 
made it the most critically endangered animal in less than 
a decade. 
The world needs to tell China that pangolin scales – like 
rhino horns – are made of keratin that produces human 
hair and nails and has no medicinal value. 
 
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