As pangolin numbers have been depleted over much of their Asian range, the onslaught on the African species has grown exponentially in recent years.  Current estimates suggest that one pangolin is poached every five minutes, resulting in 2019 alone, 97 tonnes /213,848 lbs of loose scales being intercepted leaving the African continent; this equates to more than 160,000 African pangolins destined for traditional cultural practices of the East.  If one considers that these intercepted consignments represent a very small proportion of the actual undetected trade, African pangolins face a bleak future.

Battling on the frontline to save South Africa’s pangolins are rangers, sting and enforcement teams, veterinarians, and Umoya Khulula Wildlife Centre, one of four organizations permitted to rehabilitate and rewild pangolins.  **  Note that all pangolins are housed at offsite locations for security purposes.**

Most pangolins seized from the illegal trade have been kept under dire conditions.  The majority of animals retrieved from the trade are in compromised or less than ideal condition due to varying levels of stress, trauma and/or injuries.  Common ailments include respiratory tract issues, gastric ulcers, and open wounds. Each pangolin confiscated is assessed by a permitted wildlife hospital, where they are given radiographs, sonar scans, blood analyses, medication and intensive care.  The average assessment cost is up to 25,000 Rand/$1340.

Depending on each pangolin’s medical condition, animals remain under veterinary care anywhere from days to months.  During this time, each pangolin must be given individual nightly rehabilitative “walks” of ideally five hours, as they do not feed in captivity.  While walking, pangolins are monitored for how they are moving and feeding.  A healthy pangolin should walk bipedally with its tail off the ground, whereas a compromised pangolin will drag its tail and use their front feet to walk.

Once an animal is stable, comfortably foraging, gaining weight, and showing healthy blood work, then a release site is selected.  Sites must have at least 5000 hectares /over 12,000 acres, appropriate food sources, and adequate fencing.

Before release, all pangolins are fitted with two types of tags, satellite and telemetry, at an expense of 30,000 Rand/ $1600.  These tags help to ensure the well-being of the pangolin post release, showing if a pangolin is settled in their new area.  Once a pangolin is showing signs of consistent territorial feeding, and maintaining weight, they are left in the field and monitored at least six months.  Data collected is utilized to learn about movement, territorial behavior, feeding, ecology, and what role seasonal variation plays within these factors.  Additionally, pangolins have been known to “crash” a few weeks into their release, so post release monitoring is essential.  If a pangolin settles, shows no signs of illness, and has been successfully gaining weight after six months, then the tags are removed, and the pangolin is deemed to be rewilded.