World Pangolin Day 2026 highlights 500,000+ pangolins seized globally between 2016 and 2024

Key facts

• World Pangolin Day 2026 was marked by release of a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) report.
• The CITES report recorded 2,222 seizures of pangolins and their parts in 49 countries involving an estimated 553,042 pangolins during 2016-2024.
• China and Viet Nam were the main alleged destinations for illegally traded pangolin parts.
• India is home to two of the eight recognised pangolin species: Indian pangolin and Chinese pangolin.
• India did not provide data for the 2025 CITES reporting cycle.