Why in the News?
Scientists have developed advanced “DNA maps” to identify the origin and trafficking routes of illegally traded pangolins, helping expose international wildlife smuggling networks.
Key Highlights
- Study published in PLOS Biology on May 7, 2026.
- Researchers mapped trafficking routes of:
- White-bellied pangolin
- Sunda pangolin
- Chinese pangolin
How the DNA Mapping Works
- Scientists analysed 671 specific locations in the pangolin genome that differ across populations.
- Used:
- Museum specimens
- Recent pangolin samples
- Created a large geo-referenced genetic database to identify the origin of trafficked pangolins.
Major Findings
- Researchers found evidence of trafficking routes from: Arunachal Pradesh and Assam
- feeding illegal trade networks through Yunnan in China.
Significance
- Helps identify poaching hotspots accurately.
- Assists enforcement agencies in tracking wildlife crime networks.
- Can improve international cooperation against illegal wildlife trade.
About Pangolins
- Pangolins are scaly mammals threatened by:
- Habitat loss
- Illegal trafficking
- Hunted mainly for:
- Scales
- Meat
Conservation Status
- Protected under: Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
- Listed under: Appendix I of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
| [2022] Consider the following statements: DNA Barcoding can be a tool to: 1. Assess the age of a plant or animal. 2. Distinguish among species that look alike. 3. Identify undesirable animal or plant materials in processed foods. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? [A] 1 only [B] 3 only [C] 1and 2 [D] 2 and 3 |
