China removes pangolin scales from medicine list

Though many think of them as reptiles, pangolins are actually mammals. They are the only mammals wholly-covered in scales and they use those scales to protect themselves from predators in the wild. If under threat, a pangolin will immediately curl into a tight ball and will use their sharp-scaled tails to defend themselves.

Up to 200,000 pangolins are consumed each year in Asia for their scales and meat. Trade in all eight species of pangolin are protected under international law and three of the four who are native to Asia are on the red list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature as critically endangered species.

Pangolins are the worlds most trafficked mammal, but according to reports, Beijing authorities have removed the pangolin scales from Chinese Pharmacopoeia meaning they are no longer approved from use in traditional  Chinese medicine.

The meat is seen as a delicacy in China and it is believed that consuming the scales helps with sexual performance, inflammation, and blood circulation.