Disrupting Illicit Pangolin Trade and Trafficking Networks in Ghana

Keywords: Pangolin, Illicit, COVID-19, Ghana
Abstract Type: Virtual Lightning Paper Abstract

Abstract

The pangolin, a wild animal often exploited for food and internationally traded for its body parts as medicines, is considered the most trafficked mammal in the world. More recently, the pangolin has received considerable media attention as it has been implicated in zoonotic disease transmission, including the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Ghana is a critical source and transit region for illicit trafficked pangolins, yet there is no known evidence-based spatially explicit supply network data for the monitoring and interdiction of the pangolin trade and trafficking in the country. This paper is based on a doctoral dissertation research proposal to advance scientific understanding of the structure and functions of illicit pangolin trade, and trafficking operations in the country. The study will make use of geographic, spatial scientific methods, and behavioral and cognitive sciences/approaches to achieve the following: (1) detailed information on relative value and uses of specific pangolin products (meat/scales); (2) detailed maps of known illicit pangolin extraction locations and trafficking routes to suspected or confirmed consumption markets in Ghana; (3) a spatial interaction model which will help predict and evaluate flows and movements of pangolin products within Ghana.