Endangered by Trade: The ongoing illegal pangolin trade in the Philippines
The endemic Philippine Pangolin Manis culionensis, known locally as balintong, occurs in the Palawan faunal region and has the most restricted range among the eight pangolin species, with a decreasing population trend. The species has been considered protected and prohibited from any form of hunting, possession or trade in the Philippines since 2004. In December 2019, the species was globally assessed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, a reflection of its severely threatened status. Despite national legislations and international trade regulations protecting the Philippine Pangolin, poaching and illegal trade continue.
