Singapore - Wildlife groups fear the pangolin, once common across Asia, is being systematically wiped out and could become extinct unless governments do more to stop poaching, they said in a published report on Thursday. 

Citing China's appetite for exotic meats, Chris Shepherd, senior programme officer with Traffic South-East Asia, said the mammals "could become extinct at any time because captive breeding is impossible." 

"They are one of the most heavily traded species in Asia despite a complete ban," The Straits Times quoted Shepherd as saying. 

Pangolins are anteaters with small heads and long, broad tails. Scales cover their skins. 

Government representatives, educators and scientists gathered in Singapore for a three-day workshop on ways to save the pangolin. 

Poachers have expanded their hunt for the mammals to Indonesia. Twenty-three tons of pangolin carcasses and scales were seized in Vietnam in March. 

Consumers want their meat for food and medicine, the report said. Some breast-feeding women claim pangolin scales reduce swelling, promote blood circulation and help produce milk. 

Researchers have developed a genetic technique to identify all eight pangolin species, which could help track poachers. (dpa)