Pangolin hunting in southeast Nigeria is motivated more by local meat consumption than international demand for scales

Pangolins are the world’s most trafficked wild mammals, yet the drivers of their exploitation vary across regions. This study surveyed 809 hunters and meat vendors in Nigeria—Africa’s largest pangolin trafficking hub—and found that 98% of pangolins are hunted for meat, not scales. Most are captured opportunistically during general hunting, with 71% consumed by hunters and 27% sold locally. Despite global attention on the illegal scale trade, 70% of scales are discarded, and meat fetches three to four times the price of scales. These findings challenge dominant narratives and highlight the need for conservation policies that address local consumption drivers alongside international trafficking.

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