Conservationists mark World Pangolin Day and World Whale Day
Conservationists are marking both World Pangolin Day and World Whale Day today and South African National Parks says it is vital that organisations continue to raise awareness around endangered species in the country.
"We would like to bring to the attention of community members - and citizens of our country - that we have a responsibility to protect pangolins and - of course - in our marine protected areas - such as Table Mountain and Tsitsikama - we have whales and they play an important role in the overall health, structure and functioning of the marine ecosystem," says SANParks spokesperson Rey Thakhuli.
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He says the growing demand for the pangolin is alarming and more should be done to protect them,
"The major driver in recent times is believed to be international illegal wildlife trade - particularly in Asia, mostly to China and Vietnam - where there is a belief that the pangolin has medicinal properties. These alarming trends actually increase social pressures - and drive the demand - in those countries".