Pangolins - Yet Another Disgraceful Hub For Thailand

[francescoassisi]

What's a Pangolin?delicious apparently

"The Guardian provided a description of the killing and eating of pangolins: "A Guangdong chef interviewed last year in the Beijing Science and Technology Daily described how to prepare a pangolin: 'We keep them alive in cages until the customer makes an order. Then we hammer them unconscious, cut their throats and drain the blood. It is a slow death. We then boil them to remove the scales. We cut the meat into small pieces and use it to make a number of dishes, including braised meat and soup. Usually the customers take the blood home with them afterwards.'"

104 pangolins were discovered by the Thai navy this week near Udon in an SUV bound for the Chinese market.

This is an ongoing problem

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2011/09/26/photos-100-pangolins-seiz_n_981051.html

http://www.worldwatch.org/node/6198

Even though these animals have so far avoided the pot, they still face a slow lingering death as the authorities have no facilities for looking after them and refuse to hand over to charities set up to care for animals in such predicaments

Edited March 27, 2013 by francescoassisi

[Hedghog]

I wonder if you can cook them in clay.

Like the Gypsies used to cook hedgehog.

[BlackPuddingBertha]

This is indeed absolutely shameful and is the mark of an intrinsically uncivilised society. Unfortunately there are many other instances of the mistreatment of animals in Thailand and China, and elsewhere in SEAsia of course. One would hope that Buddhists might have a better attitude towards animals (and people, for that matter).

[Scottythai]

I wonder if this thread will get closed like the one you opened up 5 minutes prior on the same thing. Then redirected to where this discussion is taking place

[francescoassisi]

I wonder if this thread will get closed like the one you opened up 5 minutes prior on the same thing. Then redirected to where this discussion is taking place

I think that was a technical glytch

[geriatrickid]

I wonder if this thread will get closed like the one you opened up 5 minutes prior on the same thing. Then redirected to where this discussion is taking place

if you want to be a moderator, please contact the site administration and submit your request. The topic is obviously of importance to the OP and it is a valid concern. if you don't care, then just avoid the thread. I thank the OP for raising the issue.

hank you.

[Stradavarius37]

The disgrace is the eating of these creatures. And these animals were discovered in Thailand, before they were eating. Frankly, with the amount of animals that get discovered at BKK, etc, its a wonder anyone even tries to bring them through there.

OP

[francescoassisi]

The disgrace is the eating of these creatures. And these animals were discovered in Thailand, before they were eating. Frankly, with the amount of animals that get discovered at BKK, etc, its a wonder anyone even tries to bring them through there.

OP

Eating these creatures and most wild animals is extremely distasteful to most of us.....the eating of endangered wild animals is grossly irresponsible especially as it is often a major factor driving the market that is the cause of their endangerment. However I think you misinterpret the situation in Bkk in fact all of Thailand with reference to the numbers of seizures. I think these high numbers are the tip of an enormous iceberg as smugglers and poachers find that Thailand is a soft touch when it comes to their trade.

I might point too that once discovered the Thai authorities show a singular lack of concern for their charges and many subsequently die from lack of care or find their way backbintobthevtrade.

Edited March 28, 2013 by francescoassisi

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

https://www.facebook.com/WorldPangolinDay

I guess the demand is mostly for medicinal cuisine.

I wonder about the taste.. What if it tasted like Foie Gras and Bacon with truffles?

Can they breed and farm these guys? Maybe that would take the pressure off the wild populations.

And I wonder if they are domesticated for pets?

[francescoassisi]

I think the above poster is being a bit naive.

Below is from the save the pangolin web site.

Pets medicine or food, farming wild animals has a tendency to increase demand and therefore pressure on the wild population of endangered animals

This also tends to make people less concerned about the wild population whose habitat is then destroyed at an ever increasing rate....

"Pangolins are hunted for food, for use in traditional medicine and as fashion accessories, and for a rampant illegal international trade in scales, skins, and meat. There is high demand for nearly all of their body parts, principally from China. The large-scale illegal trade in Asian pangolins is drastically driving down their numbers throughout Southeast Asia. Rapid loss and deterioration of available habitat places added pressure on the dwindling numbers of remaining pangolins".

[Stradavarius37]

The disgrace is the eating of these creatures. And these animals were discovered in Thailand, before they were eating. Frankly, with the amount of animals that get discovered at BKK, etc, its a wonder anyone even tries to bring them through there.

OP

Eating these creatures and most wild animals is extremely distasteful to most of us.....the eating of endangered wild animals is grossly irresponsible especially as it is often a major factor driving the market that is the cause of their endangerment. However I think you misinterpret the situation in Bkk in fact all of Thailand with reference to the numbers of seizures. I think these high numbers are the tip of an enormous iceberg as smugglers and poachers find that Thailand is a soft touch when it comes to their trade.

I might point too that once discovered the Thai authorities show a singular lack of concern for their charges and many subsequently die from lack of care or find their way backbintobthevtrade.

I would say the "eating of...most wild animals is extremely distasteful to most of us"...is inaccurate. I have eaten many wild animals in my day, that I have hunted myself. We are at the top of the food chain. But endangered animals should be protected.

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

I think the above poster is being a bit naive.

Below is from the save the pangolin web site.

Pets medicine or food, farming wild animals has a tendency to increase demand and therefore pressure on the wild population of endangered animals

This also tends to make people less concerned about the wild population whose habitat is then destroyed at an ever increasing rate....

"Pangolins are hunted for food, for use in traditional medicine and as fashion accessories, and for a rampant illegal international trade in scales, skins, and meat. There is high demand for nearly all of their body parts, principally from China. The large-scale illegal trade in Asian pangolins is drastically driving down their numbers throughout Southeast Asia. Rapid loss and deterioration of available habitat places added pressure on the dwindling numbers of remaining pangolins".

what are some examples of farming and breeding animals causing the demand to increase and pressure the wild ones?

Just curious

[Hedghog]

At least the Chinese don't eat Panda

YET.

Or maybe that's why they breed them.

Who knows.

[Payboy]

I don't mind them eating anything as long as they don't have to regurgitate those indigestible parts right there at the table.

[Berkshire]

I think the above poster is being a bit naive.

Below is from the save the pangolin web site.

Pets medicine or food, farming wild animals has a tendency to increase demand and therefore pressure on the wild population of endangered animals

This also tends to make people less concerned about the wild population whose habitat is then destroyed at an ever increasing rate....

"Pangolins are hunted for food, for use in traditional medicine and as fashion accessories, and for a rampant illegal international trade in scales, skins, and meat. There is high demand for nearly all of their body parts, principally from China. The large-scale illegal trade in Asian pangolins is drastically driving down their numbers throughout Southeast Asia. Rapid loss and deterioration of available habitat places added pressure on the dwindling numbers of remaining pangolins".

what are some examples of farming and breeding animals causing the demand to increase and pressure the wild ones?

Just curious

Good question. It would seem that if the animal-rights folks are most concerned about extinction, they'd be in support of farming and breeding these animals to meet both demand and ensure survival of the species. Apparently not.

I don't have a dog in this fight. In fact, I wouldn't know a pangolin if I was pissing on one. But every time an animal-rights activist opens his/her mouth, I cringe. They seem to love animals more than people...which is certainly their right. But in fact, pretty much every culture/country has examples of what could constitute animal cruelty. Why should a pangolin be treated any differently than a cow or pig? If they're endangered, certainly, but breeding them doesn't seem to be the answer that animal-rights folks want to hear either.

On a somewhat unrelated note, why does it seem that every endangered animal on this planet that gets smuggled always ends up in China? Is everything considered medicine over there?

[FunFon]

At least the Chinese don't eat Panda

YET.

Or maybe that's why they breed them.

Who knows.

-

I wouldn't be at all surprised if super-wealthy and/or politically powerful Chinese were consuming the occasional Panda tidbit. . .

[doggie888888]

On a somewhat unrelated note, why does it seem that every endangered animal on this planet that gets smuggled always ends up in China? Is everything considered medicine over there?

I think they have a version of "...and God gave man dominion over the animals". Unfortunately, like most superstitions, it takes time and lots of education to eradicate ignorance.

[Jingthing]

Not only in Asia.

My Dad said -- tastes like chicken.

http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2009-05-31/opinions/36874192_1_national-zoo-exotic-animals-iguana

There are people who love animals, and then there are people who really love animals, preferably served with a nice bechamel sauce. Members of the Anteaters Club were in the latter category.

[wilcopops]

The disgrace is the eating of these creatures. And these animals were discovered in Thailand, before they were eating. Frankly, with the amount of animals that get discovered at BKK, etc, its a wonder anyone even tries to bring them through there.

OP

Eating these creatures and most wild animals is extremely distasteful to most of us.....the eating of endangered wild animals is grossly irresponsible especially as it is often a major factor driving the market that is the cause of their endangerment. However I think you misinterpret the situation in Bkk in fact all of Thailand with reference to the numbers of seizures. I think these high numbers are the tip of an enormous iceberg as smugglers and poachers find that Thailand is a soft touch when it comes to their trade.

I might point too that once discovered the Thai authorities show a singular lack of concern for their charges and many subsequently die from lack of care or find their way backbintobthevtrade.

I would say the "eating of...most wild animals is extremely distasteful to most of us"...is inaccurate. I have eaten many wild animals in my day, that I have hunted myself. We are at the top of the food chain. But endangered animals should be protected.

So what do you do? go and kill anything you want until it is "endangered"? - and then who do you believe? As these animals are part of an ecosystem killing other "non-endangered" parts of it may indirectly be affecting the endangered species. This is certainly the case with tigers whose prey of pigs and deer has been hunted to the point where there aren't enough to support the tigers in an area.

Sadly this epitomises the kind of attitude that encourages this desire to eat "wild" meat. people are hoodwinked into thinking that certain types of food or substances will have beneficial effects on their health or protect them or even cure them of diseases - hogwash!

"We are top of the food chain" - "hunters"? - who says, uninformed sound-bites that's all they are.

these are all gross misconceptions of mans role and evolution.

Man is a social animal and developed out of hunter gatherer into farm. For 10000 years we have replaced the need to hunt by domesticating animals. Some may say they are responding to a "basic instinct" when we hunt....in reality it is no more a basic instinct than photography or hi-fi...it is just an excuse for "men" to collect expensive paraphernalia and go off on in male only groups.

Unless we are totally isolated from the mainstream world or in a war zone, we don't need to eat wild animals to survive, we have plenty of domesticated animals to choose from.

Most hunters kid themselves anyhow.......the "wilderness" they choose to hunt in is so very often subsidised and maintained not as a truly wild ecosystem but as a ecosystem carefully managed to support the kind of animals they want to shoot. In many circumstances animals are bred in captivity and then released into the wild so that "hunters" may shoot them.

what it does is create the illusion that they is something "natural" about poking are noses (and guns) into the few relatively unspoilt areas on the planet and needlessly wiping out perfectly healthy parts of the gene pool.

If you look at the people who eat things like pangolins and tiger penis, they all believe in some curative properties alleged to be held in these animals. They are mostly the nouveau riche Chinese middle class - adept at making money but very very short on critical thinking....and full to the brim with ignorance.....and pangolin?

Edited March 29, 2013 by wilcopops

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

The disgrace is the eating of these creatures. And these animals were discovered in Thailand, before they were eating. Frankly, with the amount of animals that get discovered at BKK, etc, its a wonder anyone even tries to bring them through there.

OP

what it does is create the illusion that they is something "natural" about poking are noses (and guns) into the few relatively unspoilt areas on the planet and needlessly wiping out perfectly healthy parts of the gene pool.

If you look at the people who eat things like pangolins and tiger penis, they all believe in some curative properties alleged to be held in these animals. They are mostly the nouveau riche Chinese middle class - adept at making money but very very short on critical thinking....and full to the brim with ignorance.

It's probably already 99.999% Pangolin free diners in ThaiVisa.

Anyone eat one of these things?

If anything you just made a bunch of people at least intrigued and curious about the taste and medicinal qualities of Pangolin.

Now I just gotta know what they taste like and will I get a super boner?

And one thing I have to ask

If you got one wish of anything in the world. World peace? Harems of concubines? Eliminating global warming?

But in order to get that one wish you had to eat 1 whole BBQ Pangolin.

Would you eat that Pangolin?

Edited March 29, 2013 by CobraSnakeNecktie

[ZhouZhou]

At least the Chinese don't eat Panda

YET.

Or maybe that's why they breed them.

Who knows.

Pandas are a good example how China cares about endangered species.

[FunFon]

At least the Chinese don't eat Panda

YET.

Or maybe that's why they breed them.

Who knows.

Pandas are a good example how China cares about endangered species.

-

They'd be long extinct if they didn't have PR value for international relations.

[driedmango]

Men with limp dicks and stupid enough to believe in lame cures will kill the last of the planet.

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

Boners have been critical to human history.

What if the Pangolin produced some crazy Matrix powers boner? You know you want it.

Sure some people eating say Pangolin doesn't do that but have they actually tried it?

Eating oysters with their high zinc content is supposed to increase testosterone production and I have personally verified this as very effective.

So what if the Pangolin was beyond category sex power but none of these activist losers have ever tried it.

"What if it worked"? That phrase is essential to human history and the future of mankind.

Edited March 29, 2013 by CobraSnakeNecktie

[ZhouZhou]

Boners have been critical to human history.

What if the Pangolin produced some crazy Matrix powers boner? You know you want it.

Sure some people eating say Pangolin doesn't do that but have they actually tried it?

Eating oysters with their high zinc content is supposed to increase testosterone production and I have personally verified this as very effective.

So what if the Pangolin was beyond category sex power but none of these activist losers have ever tried it.

"What if it worked"? That phrase is essential to human history and the future of mankind.

who said the eat it to get a boner? that is a fairy tale.

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

Boners have been critical to human history.

What if the Pangolin produced some crazy Matrix powers boner? You know you want it.

Sure some people eating say Pangolin doesn't do that but have they actually tried it?

Eating oysters with their high zinc content is supposed to increase testosterone production and I have personally verified this as very effective.

So what if the Pangolin was beyond category sex power but none of these activist losers have ever tried it.

"What if it worked"? That phrase is essential to human history and the future of mankind.

who said the eat it to get a boner? that is a fairy tale.

because you chowed down on Pangolin? how was it?

[ZhouZhou]

Boners have been critical to human history.

What if the Pangolin produced some crazy Matrix powers boner? You know you want it.

Sure some people eating say Pangolin doesn't do that but have they actually tried it?

Eating oysters with their high zinc content is supposed to increase testosterone production and I have personally verified this as very effective.

So what if the Pangolin was beyond category sex power but none of these activist losers have ever tried it.

"What if it worked"? That phrase is essential to human history and the future of mankind.

who said the eat it to get a boner? that is a fairy tale.

because you chowed down on Pangolin? how was it?

because i never saw them marketed for that reason.

and the TCM stuff is mostly about common cold and tooth pain but not some sexual magic power stuff like in these fairy tales. that is nonsense.

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

I found this on it

"The meat is considered a great delicacy and many believe the scales can cure various diseases, including asthma and certain cancers, as well as boosting virility. Pangolins have become so rare that they may fetch as much as $1,000 a piece on the black market."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/mar/12/endangered-pangolins-illegal-wildlife-trade

Sounds promising but not for the price

JS/ZZ/..... Tell us your health secrets for male virility. Please bless us with your wisdom.

[ZhouZhou]

I found this on it

"The meat is considered a great delicacy and many believe the scales can cure various diseases, including asthma and certain cancers, as well as boosting virility. Pangolins have become so rare that they may fetch as much as $1,000 a piece on the black market."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/mar/12/endangered-pangolins-illegal-wildlife-trade

Sounds promising but not for the price

JS/ZZ/..... Tell us your health secrets for male virility. Please bless us with your wisdom.

still a fairy tale.

that "boosting virility" myth probably came from some western new age quack who wanted to sell variations of TCM to the white man.

no Chinese is chowing down on Pangolin because they think its like Viagra.

it is just a delicacy. like french slugs.

Edited March 29, 2013 by ZhouZhou

[watcharacters]

Boners have been critical to human history.

What if the Pangolin produced some crazy Matrix powers boner? You know you want it.

Sure some people eating say Pangolin doesn't do that but have they actually tried it?

Eating oysters with their high zinc content is supposed to increase testosterone production and I have personally verified this as very effective.

So what if the Pangolin was beyond category sex power but none of these activist losers have ever tried it.

"What if it worked"? That phrase is essential to human history and the future of mankind.

.

Are you sure it wasn't the mercury you were feeling?