Three species of pangolins occur in Liberia, the Endangered giant Smutsia gigantea and white-bellied Phataginus tricuspis and the Vulnerable black-bellied Phataginus tetradactyla. All can be found alive and as raw or smoked meat in bushmeat markets. To gain an improved understanding of the availability of these species in the markets of Liberia, and to document the growing trade in scales, we carried out a survey of bushmeat markets during August 2020–February 2021.

We surveyed 110–130 vendors at 10–18 markets per month in the three most densely populated Liberian counties of Montserrado, Bong and Nimba. The primary trade corridor in Liberia runs through these counties from coastal Monrovia to the borders of Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire. Although numerous species were commonly available in all markets, no pangolins were observed in Monrovian markets, perhaps because of checkpoints into the city. Pangolins were, however, for sale in markets elsewhere, and most common in Bong County, which is accessible to hunters and vendors from the forested Lofa and Gbarpolu counties. Overall, 8–10% of markets had pangolins for sale, typically as butchered or smoked meat. We did not observe the giant pangolin. The white-bellied accounted for c. 75% of pangolins, and 80–90% of the scales were from the black-bellied pangolin. Scales were sold to Ganta City wholesalers and moved across the border into Guinea. Key informants claimed that three pangolins produce 1 kg of scales. We typically observed a total of 30–100 kg of scales in the markets each month.

The number of live and butchered pangolins, and scales, for sale diminished as the study proceeded, with availability lowest during the November dry season. By the end of February, the number of pangolins in the markets had fallen by 55% from that in August and scale prices had dropped from USD 30 per kg to USD 5 per kg towards the end of the survey. The main factors in the reduced occurrence of pangolins by February were the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on bushmeat sales and prices, deteriorating currency exchange rates, and declining markets for the export of scales. Small-scale entrepreneurs in the informal market shifted their trade to other goods such as banknotes or cocoa, where the profit margin was higher.

Surveys of the larger, intact forest blocks of south-east Liberia would enhance our understanding of the market for pangolin meat in the country. Although pangolins occur throughout intact forests and a large supply of animal species from the south-east enter the Monrovian markets, pangolins were absent there, although we did encounter live pangolins for sale on the streets. We presume that pangolin is a preferred meat and therefore consumed nearer source localities. Our survey suggests that pangolins are under significant pressure domestically despite efforts by the Forestry Development Authority to curb the trade.