Three men a farmer and two businessmen from Zambia are facing the possibility of a five-year prison sentence after a magistrate determined they have a case to answer regarding the alleged illegal possession of a pangolin valued at K23,000.
In Zambia, the illegal possession of a pangolin, one of the world’s most heavily trafficked mammals, carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years upon conviction. Pangolin meat is considered a delicacy in some cultures, and the animal’s scales are highly sought after in traditional Chinese medicine, where they are believed to treat various ailments, including asthma, rheumatism, and arthritis.
Last month, seven Zimbabwean men also found themselves in serious legal trouble when police detectives discovered them in possession of a pangolin, an endangered species. These individuals now face charges under the Parks and Wildlife Act and could face up to nine years in prison if convicted.
