The Chinese Pangolin is a nocturnal, burrowing mammal covered in scales, similar in appearance to an armadillo. It is native to southern China and southeast Asia (including Bangladesh and Nepal). Prized for its meat and scales in traditional Chinese medicine, it's considered
the most trafficked mammal you’ve never heard of.

Pangolins play a critical role in their ecosystems, specifically relating to insect regulation. A single pangolin can consume 70 million ants and termites per year, contributing to millions of dollars saved in pest control annually.

Threat Status: Critically Endangered

As of 2019, the Chinese Pangolin was listed in critically endangered status, with multiple studies measuring the population in rapid decline. In 2002, populations in China were estimated at 50,000 to 100,000; six years later, populations were estimated at 64,000. By 2010, estimates had dropped to between 25,000 and 50,000 remaining.

References:

Born Free USA. (2021, September 9). Pangolins - facts, habitat, endangered status: Species spotlight. Retrieved from https://www.bornfreeusa.org/species/pangolins/

Challender, D., Wu, S., Kaspal, P., Khatiwada, A., Ghose, A., Ching-Min Sun, N., Mohapatra, R. K., & Laxmi Suwal, T. (2019). Manis pentadactyla. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. https://doi.org/10.2305/iucn.uk.2019-3.rlts.t12764a168392151.en