Multiple web search results indicate that Asian pangolins are heavily trafficked, and there is evidence suggesting a shift in poaching pressure towards African species. One source notes that African pangolins accounted for 90% of seized scales since 2015, reflecting depletion of Asian populations. Other sources confirm the general threat to pangolins from both regions.

Web search results confirm that pangolins are valued for their meat and scales in both Asia and Africa. While the claim uses strong language ('almost disappeared'), the evidence confirms the high demand and threat across both continents.

Multiple web search results cite estimates regarding the high number of pangolins trafficked over the last decade, linking the demand to traditional remedies in China. One source specifically mentions the WWF estimate of over a million pangolins taken from the wild over the last decade.

One web search result provides specific details matching the claim: a court in Bac Ninh sentenced two individuals to a total of 16 years (8 years each) for supplying and brokering pangolin scales during a sting operation in June. While the exact year/date mentioned in the claim ('Wednesday') is not corroborated, the core facts (Bac Ninh, sentencing, two individuals, sting operation, June) are strongly corroborated by the provided web result.

The claim is directly supported by the web search result citing Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV), which specifies that the 46 bags of scales came from three African species: the giant, white-bellied, and black-bellied pangolin.