Shocking Discovery: Over 130 Endangered Pangolins Found on TikTok
A shocking discovery has been made by researchers investigating illegal wildlife trade on social media. Over 130 white-bellied pangolins, a critically endangered species, were found in videos examined on platforms like TikTok. This alarming trend poses significant risks to animal welfare, public health, and local livelihoods.
The study, conducted by researchers and cited by the organisation 'VIER PFOTEN', revealed that traders in Togo openly advertise and sell animal carcasses, including critically endangered pangolins, on these platforms. TikTok, in particular, has become a hub for this illegal activity, with over 3,500 carcasses of smoked wildlife and 27 different species, many of which are legally protected, found in just 80 videos.
The videos, which reached a large audience with nearly 1.8 million views and thousands of likes and shares, showcase the brutal reality of the illegal wildlife trade. Pangolins, among other animals, are subjected to extreme cruelty, with reports of them being boiled or burned alive. This trade not only threatens the survival of these endangered species but also carries zoonotic diseases, posing a risk to public health.
The failure of international protective measures to stop this illegal wildlife trade on social media underscores the urgent need for regulation. World Animal Protection has called for immediate action to secure the survival of endangered species. Social media platforms must take responsibility and work together with conservation organisations to combat this growing threat.
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