The study from UCLA scientists and colleagues employs genomics to identify poaching hotspots and trading routes of the endangered white-bellied pangolin. Published in the journal “Science” on December 14, 2023, this research aids law enforcement in tracking pangolin products within the international supply chain to their origins in Africa. Illegal pangolin trade poses a global challenge. The eight species, found across 23 countries, cover 2.3 million square miles. Their scales are in demand worldwide for traditional medicine. The white-bellied African pangolin, in particular, is often shipped to China and other Asian countries. Despite its use in traditional medicine, there’s no … Continue reading UCLA Scientists Map the $20 Billion Global Pangolin Trade, Offering New Study for Endangered Species