Jackie Chan is an international star — the Chinese actor is one of the most beloved action movie performers, capable of combining martial arts with slapstick cinema, and has starred in successful films such as Rumble in the Bronx and Shanghai Knights. In Asia in particular he is an absolute celebrity, and his friendly face is recognised by virtually everyone. It is precisely because of this popularity that the conservation organisations WildAid and The Nature Conservancy have asked the Chinese actor to become the ambassador of a campaign in defence of those funny and bizarre creatures — with their long tongues and scaly armour — that are, despite themselves, the world's most trafficked mammals: pangolins.

Kung-fu pangolin

To launch the campaign, a fun and effective video was produced in which Jackie Chan, a great martial arts expert, invites people not to buy the meat or scales of these animals, while teaching pangolins kung fu to defend themselves against poachers. "When the buying stops, the killing can too," says the actor in the video.

The pangolin massacre

Every year thousands of pangolins are illegally hunted and killed for their meat and scales. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, over the last decade more than one million of these animals have been trafficked, to meet demand primarily from China and Vietnam. More than 10,000 pangolins are estimated to be smuggled into China every year, where they are used in traditional medicine and in restaurants.

The causes of the slaughter

These strange mammals, which can curl into a ball to protect themselves from predators and are capable of eating up to 70 million ants a year, are hunted, as mentioned, for their meat and scales. Pangolin meat is highly sought after in restaurants, especially in China, and a carcass can cost up to one thousand dollars — foetuses in particular are considered a delicacy. The large horny scales that cover them (made of keratin, like our fingernails) are, on the other hand, a prized ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine. Without any scientific confirmation, they are believed to be able to treat asthma, arthritis and rheumatism, and to promote milk production in women. Their price has risen steeply: in 1990 a kilogram cost 14 dollars, today it costs as much as 600.

Pangolins at risk

Eight species of pangolin currently survive, distributed equally between Africa and Asia, and all are at risk of extinction due to illegal wildlife trafficking. "It's crazy that people are still eating these endangered wild animals," Jackie Chan declared. "I hope we can convince people that it's wrong."

Pangolins have been better protected since 2016

Last year the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species finally strengthened the protection of pangolins. The United Nations decided on a total ban on the trade in these animals; all eight species were listed in Appendix I of Cites, which prohibits any cross-border movement of animals or parts of their bodies for commercial purposes.

Jackie Chan puts his face to it

Despite the ban, the market value of pangolins and demand for them remain high in China and Vietnam. It is precisely for this reason that WildAid and The Nature Conservancy believe that Jackie Chan's support can influence many consumers. "Jackie reaches a vast audience across Asia and there are clear signs that campaigns of this type have a real impact on consumers and their attitudes are changing," said Peter Knights, CEO of WildAid, with optimism.