Despite being the world’s most heavily trafficked mammal — more than elephants, rhinos and tigers combined — pangolins remain virtually unknown to the public. These shy, scaly creatures are primarily hunted for their scales, which are frequently used in traditional Asian medicines. Despite international protections, illegal trafficking of these animals continues, and with it, the quiet collapse of wild pangolin populations across Asia and Africa. Part of conservationists’ challenge is increasing the visibility of the threats these species face. Pangolins don’t have the public profile of elephants or lions and aren’t instantly recognizable to the general public. They’re not often visible to safari tourists, rarely show up in children’s books or blockbuster nature documentaries, and, until recently, they rarely made headlines. In a media environment that often elevates the largest or most brightly colored animals, pangolins have been left out of the conservation spotlight. But that’s starting to change, and one reason for that is storytelling. The new Netflix documentary Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey is a powerful example of what can happen when the media shines a light on a lesser-known species. Promotional images of the new Netflix documentary Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey. Through the lens of a rescued pangolin and the conservationists working to protect him, the film gives audiences a window into a crisis that has long flown under the radar, and highlights the intelligence of these often-forgotten creatures. Perhaps more importantly, it shows that these animals are worth knowing, worth protecting, and still have a chance to thrive in…This article was originally published on Mongabay

From Conservation news via this RSS feed