Utilisation of Pangolin (Manis sps) in traditional Yorubic medicine in Ijebu province, Ogun State, Nigeria
- PMID: 19961597
- PMCID: PMC2797502
- DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-5-39
Utilisation of Pangolin (Manis sps) in traditional Yorubic medicine in Ijebu province, Ogun State, Nigeria
Abstract
Background: Concern about the use of endangered and threatened species in traditional medicine escalated as populations of many species plummeted because of poaching for the medicinal trade. Nigeria is known for a long and valued tradition of using wild animals and plants for medicinal purposes. Despite this, studies on medicinal animals are still scarce when compared to those focusing on medicinal plants. Utilisation of wild animals in traditional Yorubic medical practices was indiscriminate as it involved threatened species. By touting the medicinal properties of these species, traditional medicine fuel continuing demand, thereby subjecting such species to further threats. This paper examined the use and commercialisation of pangolins for traditional medicinal purposes amongst the Ijebus, South-western Nigeria, and the implications of this utilisation for the conservation of this species.
Methods: Traditional Yorubic medical practitioners (tymps) (16) and dealers in traditional medicinal ingredients (56) in public markets in Ijebu province, Nigeria, were interviewed using open-ended questionnaires. The dynamic stock movement of pangolins in the stalls of dealers was also monitored to determine quantity of pangolins sold into the traditional Yorubic medicinal practices. Specific conditions treated and the parts required were also documented.
Results: A total of 178 whole pangolin carcasses were sold into traditional medical practices. Above 55% of respondents had just primary education, over 90% of respondents were not aware of either the conservation status of this species or the existence of any legal machinery regulating its trade and utilisation, while 14% admitted to giving contracts to hunters for deliberate search for this animal when needed. More than 98% of respondents have no other means of livelihood. The trade was female dominated while the healing practice had more males. Pangolins were used in various preparations to treat a total of 42 conditions. These include infertility, gastro-intestinal disorders, safe parturition, stomach ulcers, rheumatism and fibroid. Traditional Yorubic medicine also accommodated some situations that are out of the range of conventional medicine like boosting sales, conferring invisibility, removing bad luck, appeasing/wading off witches cum evil forces and money rituals. Some of these situations specifically require juvenile, or even pregnant female animals.
Conclusion: Traditional Yorubic medical practices eats deep into the reproductive base of the species, presently listed in Appendix II of CITES and Schedule I of the Nigerian Decree 11 (1985), both of which recommended strict control in sales and utilisation of this species. Its numerous medicinal values, folk culture and financial benefits of these activities are the main factors promoting the commercialisation and use of this species. Pharmacological studies on the various preparations are required to identify the bioactive compounds in them. There is a need for improved and urgent measures to conserve populations of this species in-situ. Massive education and enlightenment is urgently needed for the populace to have the necessary awareness and orientation about the conservation of this species.
Figures
Similar articles
-
Traditional-medical knowledge and perception of pangolins (Manis sps) among the Awori people, Southwestern Nigeria.J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2011 Sep 1;7:25. doi: 10.1186/1746-4269-7-25. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2011. PMID: 21884607 Free PMC article.
-
Ethnomedicinal use of African pangolins by traditional medical practitioners in Sierra Leone.J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2014 Nov 20;10:76. doi: 10.1186/1746-4269-10-76. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2014. PMID: 25412571 Free PMC article.
-
Knowledge and uses of African pangolins as a source of traditional medicine in Ghana.PLoS One. 2015 Jan 20;10(1):e0117199. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117199. eCollection 2015. PLoS One. 2015. PMID: 25602281 Free PMC article.
-
To Save Pangolins: A Nutritional Perspective.Animals (Basel). 2022 Nov 14;12(22):3137. doi: 10.3390/ani12223137. Animals (Basel). 2022. PMID: 36428365 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Use of medicinal fauna in Mexican traditional medicine.J Ethnopharmacol. 2014 Feb 27;152(1):53-70. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2014.01.005. Epub 2014 Jan 17. J Ethnopharmacol. 2014. PMID: 24440438 Review.
Cited by
-
Low pangolin consumption in Hong Kong pre- and post- the COVID-19 outbreak: Conservation and health concerns both contribute to people's attitudes.Glob Ecol Conserv. 2022 Jun;35:e02107. doi: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02107. Epub 2022 Mar 30. Glob Ecol Conserv. 2022. PMID: 35378839 Free PMC article.
-
Zootherapy as a potential pathway for zoonotic spillover: a mixed-methods study of the use of animal products in medicinal and cultural practices in Nigeria.One Health Outlook. 2022 Feb 26;4(1):5. doi: 10.1186/s42522-022-00060-3. One Health Outlook. 2022. PMID: 35216623 Free PMC article.
-
Ethnozoological and commercial drivers of the pangolin trade in Benin.J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2021 Mar 23;17(1):18. doi: 10.1186/s13002-021-00446-z. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2021. PMID: 33757552 Free PMC article.
-
Baby pangolins on my plate: possible lessons to learn from the COVID-19 pandemic.J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2020 Apr 21;16(1):19. doi: 10.1186/s13002-020-00366-4. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2020. PMID: 32316979 Free PMC article.
-
Traditional knowledge of invertebrates used for medicine and magical-religious purposes by traditional healers and indigenous populations in the Plateau Department, Republic of Benin.J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2019 Dec 16;15(1):66. doi: 10.1186/s13002-019-0344-x. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2019. PMID: 31842934 Free PMC article.
References
-
- Lee SK. Trade in traditional medicine using endangeredspecies: An International Context. Paper presented at "Healthy people -healthy wildlife; the secondAustralian symposium on traditionalmedicine and wildlife conservation. Traffic Report. 1999. http://www.traffic.org http://www.traffic.org
-
- Kang S, Phipps M. A Question of Attitude: South Korea's Traditional Medicine Practitioners and Wildlife Conservation. A TRAFFIC East Asia Report. 2003.
-
- Marshall NT. Searching for a cure: conservation of medicinal wildlife resources in East and southern Africa. TRAFFIC International. 1998.
-
- Akerele O. Summary of WHO guidelines for the assessment of herbal medicines. Herbal Gram. 1993;28:13–20.
MeSH terms
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Research Materials