The Global Trade in Pangolin Species from Asia and Africa Sarah Heinrich A dissertation submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Biological Sciences Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences The University of Adelaide December 2019 ~ Dedicated to the remaining pangolins of this world. May you forgive our crimes against your kind ~ Contents i) Publication list ................................................................................................................. 1 ii) Abstract .......................................................................................................................... 2 iii) Statement ....................................................................................................................... 4 iv) Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................... 5 Chapter 1. Introduction ..................................................................................................... 7 Statement of Authorship ................................................................................................. 14 Chapter 2. Where did all the Pangolins go? International CITES Trade in Pangolin Species ............................................................................................................................... 17 2.1 Abstract ................................................................................................................... 17 2.2 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 18 2.3 Methods ................................................................................................................... 20 2.3.1 Analytical methods ......................................................................................... 22 2.4 Results ..................................................................................................................... 23 2.5 Discussion ............................................................................................................... 33 Statement of Authorship ................................................................................................. 41 Chapter 3. The Global Trafficking of Pangolins: A Comprehensive Summary of Seizures and Trafficking Routes from 2010–2015 ........................................................ 44 3.1 Abstract ................................................................................................................... 44 3.2 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 45 3.3 Methods ................................................................................................................... 46 3.4 Results ..................................................................................................................... 50 3.4.1 Seizure summary ............................................................................................ 50 3.4.2 International trafficking .................................................................................. 53 3.4.3 Trafficking routes ........................................................................................... 59 3.5 Discussion ............................................................................................................... 69 Statement of Authorship ................................................................................................. 76 Chapter 4. Of Cowboys, Fish, and Pangolins: US Trade in Exotic Leather .............. 78 4.1 Abstract ................................................................................................................... 78 4.2 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 79 4.3 Methods ................................................................................................................... 80 4.3.1 Analytical methods ......................................................................................... 83 4.4. Results .................................................................................................................... 85 4.4.1 International trade from 1999 – 2015 ............................................................. 85 4.4.2 Current domestic e-commerce trade ............................................................... 89 4.5 Discussion ............................................................................................................... 93 Statement of Authorship ................................................................................................. 97 Chapter 5. The Role of Germany in the Illegal Global Pangolin Trade ..................... 99 5.1 Abstract ................................................................................................................... 99 5.2 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 100 5.3 Methods ................................................................................................................. 101 5.4 Results ................................................................................................................... 102 5.5 Discussion ............................................................................................................. 106 Statement of Authorship ............................................................................................... 112 Chapter 6. Plight of the Commons: 17 Years of Wildlife Trafficking in Cambodia115 6.1 Abstract ................................................................................................................. 115 6.2 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 116 6.3 Methods ................................................................................................................. 119 6.4 Results ................................................................................................................... 124 6.4.1 Confiscations and temporal trends ............................................................... 124 6.4.2 Differences between Taxonomic Classes ..................................................... 125 6.4.3 Turnover, abundance and diversity of confiscated animals ......................... 128 6.4.4 Overrepresented Orders ................................................................................ 130 6.5 Discussion ............................................................................................................. 134 Statement of Authorship ............................................................................................... 141 Chapter 7. Pangolins in Trouble .................................................................................. 143 7.1 Abstract ................................................................................................................. 143 7.2 Have you ever heard of a pangolin? ...................................................................... 143 7.3 What is wildlife trade and trafficking?.................................................................. 144 7.4 An agreement to protect species from international trade: CITES ....................... 145 7.5 The global pangolin trade...................................................................................... 145 7.6 The future of pangolins is in our hands ................................................................. 148 Chapter 8. Discussion .................................................................................................... 150 8.1 Protection at the source ......................................................................................... 150 8.2 Improved law enforcement efforts ........................................................................ 152 8.3 Demand reduction ................................................................................................. 155 8.4 Research needs ...................................................................................................... 156 8.5 Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 157 Appendix 1. Observations of the Illegal Pangolin Trade in Lao PDR ...................... 160 A1.1 Summary ............................................................................................................. 160 A1.2 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 163 A1.3 Methods .............................................................................................................. 164 A1.3.1 Seizure data ................................................................................................ 164 A1.3.2 Market surveys ........................................................................................... 166 A1.4 Results ................................................................................................................ 168 A1.4.1 Seizure data ................................................................................................ 168 A1.4.2 Market surveys ........................................................................................... 175 A1.5 Discussion ..........................................................................................................