World Pangolin Day
Next: February 20, 2027
Meet the shy, scaly anteater.
The story
Where it comes from
The first World Pangolin Day was held in February 2012, to draw as much attention as possible to a mammal that is still little known outside Africa and Asia, and to its plight. It falls on the third Saturday of February and is now run by the conservation group Save Pangolins. Pangolins are the only mammals whose whole bodies are covered in protective scales, and they are among the animals most often found in the illegal wildlife trade, hunted for their meat and their scales.
How it's celebrated
Conservation groups, zoos and wildlife researchers hold talks, school visits and fundraisers, and the IUCN pangolin specialists count down the days by introducing one of the eight species each day. Supporters have run charity races, some of them dressed as pangolins. Anyone can join in by learning about the pangolins of their own region, sharing what they learn, and never buying products made from them.
Did you know
- There are eight species of pangolin, four in Asia and four in Africa.
- A pangolin's scales are made of keratin, the same protein as our hair and nails, and there is no scientific evidence that they have any medicinal value.
- The Sunda pangolin, critically endangered, still lives wild in Singapore's nature reserves and on Pulau Ubin, and ranges through the Malay Peninsula and Borneo.
Coming up next
- International Mother Language Day · February 21, 2027
- World Thinking Day · February 22, 2027
- Supernova 1987A · February 23, 2027
- Wilhelm Grimm's Birthday · February 24, 2027
- Renoir's Birthday · February 25, 2027
- Victor Hugo's Birthday · February 26, 2027