KATHMANDU: Leading scientists, government officials, and conservationists from across South Asia have gathered in Kathmandu for a five-day regional event aimed at strengthening coordinated protection of the pangolin — the world's most trafficked mammal — and charting a shared conservation course for the next 25 years.

The event, titled Pangolin Conservation in South Asia, brings together participants from all six South Asian countries within the pangolin's range, excluding Afghanistan and the Maldives. It is jointly organised by the IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group, the South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN), and Greenhood Nepal, and kicked off in the Nepali capital on Sunday.

A critically endangered animal at the centre of illegal trade

Of the world's eight pangolin species — found across limited regions of Asia and Africa — two inhabit South Asia: the Chinese pangolin and the Indian pangolin, both present in Nepal. All eight species are threatened by poaching and habitat loss, and South Asia functions as both a source and transit hub for the illegal pangolin trade.

Pangolins are distinctive nocturnal mammals covered head to tail in protective keratin scales. They live in burrows and feed almost exclusively on ants and termites, inhabiting a range of environments from forests and grasslands to agricultural land and areas close to human settlements. Despite their ecological significance, they remain among the least understood and most exploited wildlife on the planet.

"Guided by several misconceptions, this is already the world's most trafficked mammal, and this is already a wake-up call for the world," said Dr Buddi Sagar Paudel, Director General of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. "The collaboration like this is vital, as its illegal trade does not recognise boundaries — neither should our conservation efforts. Let science inform policy in these efforts."

Regional cooperation and a 25-year vision

The gathering is designed to facilitate scientific collaboration, build a stronger regional enforcement and conservation network, and develop a long-term action plan for pangolin protection across South Asia. Organisers say the event is driven by the recognition that threats to pangolins — poaching, trafficking, and habitat destruction — do not respect national borders, and neither can the response.

"South Asia's richness is reflected not only in its landscapes and cultures but also in its pangolins," said Keri Parker, Co-chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission's Pangolin Specialist Group. "There is still much to learn about these remarkable animals. Many colleagues joining us this week continue working to better understand pangolin diversity and evolution across South and Southeast Asia, including investigating the possibility of as-yet undescribed, cryptic species."

Kumar Paudel, South Asia Co-chair of the Pangolin Specialist Group and Director of Greenhood Nepal, said Nepal's role as host carries particular weight. "This important gathering in Nepal, a home to one of the region's pangolin populations, provides an opportunity to advance conservation through knowledge-sharing and advocacy. Combating poaching, illegal trade, and other threats to pangolins requires cooperation that transcends national borders."

The event is expected to conclude with concrete recommendations and a framework for regional collaboration that conservationists hope will shape pangolin protection policy across South Asia for decades to come.