"Is the Pangolin a Possible Intermediate Host of Novel Coronavirus? ...The World's Most Trafficked 'Endangered Species'"

Pangolin / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] As research results suggesting that the pangolin may be an intermediate host of the novel coronavirus have been announced, interest in the pangolin is increasing.

Earlier, on the 7th (local time), China Huanan Agricultural University held a press conference and stated, "The pangolin is a potential intermediate host of the novel coronavirus," adding, "After examining 1,000 samples extracted from wild animals, the strain from the pangolin showed 99% homology with the novel coronavirus."

The pangolin is a mammal belonging to the order Pholidota, primarily inhabiting tropical regions of Africa and Asia. Its head, body, front and hind legs, and the upper side of its tail are covered with scales, while the underside of its body is characterized by thick, flexible skin sparsely covered with hair.

The skull has a slender conical snout, no teeth at all, and it uses a long tongue measuring up to 40 cm to lick small insects such as termites and ants.

Since 2000, more than one million pangolins have been illegally traded, making it one of the most trafficked animals worldwide. In some Asian countries such as China and Vietnam, it is used as a high-end food ingredient, and its scales are also used in traditional medicine.

In this regard, at the 'Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)' meeting held on September 29, 2016, in Johannesburg, South Africa, more than 100 countries agreed to ban the trade of pangolins.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.