The Lahore Zoological Gardens arranged a function on Saturday to celebrate the Sixth World Pangolin Day to create awareness among the masses about this rapidly declining mammal in Asia and Africa. The day is celebrated every year on third Saturday of February and is an opportunity for pangolin enthusiasts to join together and discuss this unique mammals and their plight.
The demand for pangolins comes mostly from China where pangolin scales are unfortunately believed to be a cure-all of sorts and pangolin flesh is considered a delicacy. In Vietnam, pangolins are frequently offered at restaurants catering to wealthy patrons who want to eat rare and endangered wildlife.
In Punjab, this mammal is found in Gujranwala and Potohar region and the Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department are taking all out steps for security of this animal. Pangolin has recently been included in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Appendix 1) to take measures for saving this declining mammal.
This was disclosed by the Deputy Director Wildlife Department (Headquarters) Muhammad Naeem Bhatti while speaking at the ceremony which was also attended by Director Lahore Zoo Chaudhry Shafqat Ali and representatives of the wildlife department and a large number of people. Naeem Bhatti said that pangolin has been placed in third schedule of Animal Preservation Act. "Some people are hunting this mammal just because of money which is against the law," he said. The department had launched a campaign to protect this animal last year and numerous people had been fined in this regard.
Chaudhry Shafqat Ali claimed that Pangolin is an innocent animal which eats ants and other pests, especially termite. He disclosed that there are eight varieties of Pangolin found world over. In Pakistan only one variety called 'Indian Pangolin' is found, he further informed.
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