Genomic analyses reveal poaching hotspots and illegal trade in pangolins from Africa to Asia
Jen Tinsman, Cristian Gruppi, Christen M. Bossu, Tracey‐Leigh Prigge, Ryan J. Harrigan, Virginia Zaunbrecher, Klaus‐Peter Koepfli, Matthew LeBreton, Kevin Y. Njabo, Cheng Wenda, Shuang Xing, Katharine Abernethy, Gary Ades, E. Akeredolu, Imuzei B. Andrew, Taneisha Aneika Barrett, Iva Bernáthová, Barbora Černá Bolfíková, Joseph Le Doux Diffo, Ghislain F. Difouo, Lionel Esong Ebong, Ichu Ichu Godwill, Aurélie Flore Koumba Pambo, Kim Labuschagne, Julius Nwobegahay Mbekem, Brice Roxan Momboua, Carla Louise Mousset Moumbolou, Stéphan Ntie, Elizabeth Rose-Jeffreys, Franklin T. Simo, Keerthana Sundar, Markéta Swiacká, Jean Michel Takuo, Valery N. K. Talla, Ubald Tamoufé, Caroline Dingle, Kristen Ruegg, Timothy C. Bonebrake, Thomas B. Smith
Abstract
) is the world's most trafficked mammal and is at risk of extinction. Reducing the illegal wildlife trade requires an understanding of its origins. Using a genomic approach for tracing confiscations and analyzing 111 samples collected from known geographic localities in Africa and 643 seized scales from Asia between 2012 and 2018, we found that poaching pressures shifted over time from West to Central Africa. Recently, Cameroon's southern border has emerged as a site of intense poaching. Using data from seizures representing nearly 1 million African pangolins, we identified Nigeria as one important hub for trafficking, where scales are amassed and transshipped to markets in Asia. This origin-to-destination approach offers new opportunities to disrupt the illegal wildlife trade and to guide anti-trafficking measures.