NamPost launches pangolin stamps
Pangolins have achieved unfortunate fame – they are the most-trafficked wild animals on Earth.Only one pangolin species occurs in Namibia. Like the other seven species found in other parts of Africa and Asia, Namibian pangolins are being collected in the wild and offered for sale. This is a highly illegal practice that has seen dozens of convicted perpetrators here in Namibia facing jail terms of up to nine years and fines of up to N$800 000.
There is no reward for trying to traffic pangolins in Namibia.
NamPost strives to produce postage stamps that do much more than signify “postage paid” on a letter or parcel. These stamps are small messengers of Namibia’s wonderful natural and cultural heritage – and of big issues related to that heritage.
The pangolin stamp issue is particularly important because pangolins are useful little animals, which are threatened by human activities, some greedy, some indifferent.
About pangolins
The ground pangolin, Smutsia temminckii (also known as Temminck’s pangolin) is found across much of Namibia, although these small, unusual insectivores are nocturnal, secretive and very rarely seen.
The Pangolin Conservation and Research Foundation (PCRF) has been studying the population dynamics, habitat requirements and habits of pangolins in different parts of Namibia for several years. The PCRF works closely with the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) and the collaborative platform of the Namibian Pangolin Working Group (NPWG).
They are still finding out about the distribution and habits of pangolins through dedicated research.
Pangolins feed exclusively on ants and termites, consuming thousands of little insects or their eggs each night. Through their specialised diet, pangolins play a key role in their environments. By controlling the numbers of ants and termites, pangolins limit the impact of the insects on grasslands and woody vegetation, as well as infrastructure such as fence poles and homesteads.
Ground pangolins spend much of their time walking on their hind legs, using their tail as a counterbalance. They have large claws of up to 5cm in length on their front feet, which are used to excavate their food. A female will carry her single young on her back until it is old enough to fend for itself – another endearing feature of these fascinating creatures.
Pangolins are the only mammals covered in armour of heavy scales. The scales are for defence: when a pangolin feels threatened, it rolls itself into a tight ball, protecting its vulnerable head and underside with the large scales of its long tail. The strategy is effective against wild predators, but makes it easy for poachers, once they have located a pangolin, to pick it up.
Human impact
Namibia’s pangolins are impacted by a range of human influences. Low-strung electric fences used on private nature reserves and small-stock farms are perhaps the biggest human threat, with significant numbers electrocuted each year.
Poaching and trafficking are obviously a threat, while road kills lead to additional mortalities. Pangolins are specially protected in Namibia and are listed on CITES Appendix I. The trade in pangolins and their parts is strictly prohibited.
The issue date of the NamPost pangolin stamps coincided with World Pangolin Day in February. The issue is similarly relevant for Endangered Species Day in May, although pangolin awareness in Namibia is important on any day of the year.
The stamps are issued on an attractive first-day cover that includes an informative text insert. The series was designed by Namibia’s award-winning artist, Helge Denker, in collaboration with the PCRF, MEFT and NPWG. It is a great collector’s item and is available at post offices countrywide.