World Pangolin Day ― Date, History, and Details
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Let's dive deeper into learning more about the history of World Pangolin Day and why people celebrate or observe it.
History of World Pangolin Day and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
World Pangolin Day is celebrated every year on the third Saturday of February to raise awareness about pangolins and their plight as the most trafficked mammal in the world. Pangolins are nocturnal, ant-eating mammals that are found in Africa and Asia. All eight species of pangolin are currently listed as either Critically Endangered or Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Pangolins are hunted for their meat, which is considered a delicacy in some cultures, and for their scales, which are used in traditional Chinese medicine.
An estimated one million pangolins have been poached from the wild in the past decade, and all eight species are now threatened with extinction. Pangolin populations have declined by an estimated 80% in the past 10 years alone. If we do not act now, these unique and fascinating animals could be lost forever.
World Pangolin Day was created to raise awareness about pangolins and their plight, and to call for greater protection for these amazing creatures. Every year on World Pangolin Day, people around the world come together to celebrate pangolins and to take action to save them.
You can celebrate World Pangolin Day by learning more about these amazing animals, sharing what you’ve learned with others, and taking action to help protect pangolins. You can also support organizations working to save pangolins, such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Pangolin Specialist Group, Save Pangolins, and TRAFFIC. Together, we can make a difference for pangolins.