By Amy Aucamp-Clark | Campaign Manager
In Kuruman, Northern Cape, a female Temminck's Pangolin was apprehended from the clutches of the illegal wildlife trade. Little did they know that this pangolin was not alone—she was clutching a newborn pup, a male, still wrapped in the afterbirth. This extraordinary discovery shed light on the resilience of these creatures, as pangolins often give birth prematurely, driven by the extreme stress and trauma of their circumstances.
Recognizing the urgent need for care, both pangolins were swiftly transported to out vet at Provet Animal Hospital. However, upon arrival, it became apparent that the mother, who we've affectionately named Sarabi, lacked the ability to provide milk for her newborn. The little guy had already lost a significant 30 grams since his initial weigh-in, a substantial weight loss for a creature that weighs no more than a can of soft drink. Furthermore, his blood sugar levels were so dangerously low that the monitoring equipment couldn't even register a reading.
This dire situation prompted our team to make the heart-wrenching decision to separate Sarabi and her baby. It was a tough call, but it offered the best chance for both these pangolins to survive and thrive.
Sarabi herself bore scars from her ordeal in the hands of poachers who attempted to forcibly uncurl her with a spade while she was in her defensive posture. These cruel actions resulted in a severe head wound, which we now hope will heal quickly. Sarabi has since been relocated to our rehabilitation site and is responding well to treatment.
As for her resilient little boy, whom we've named Archie, the separation was a difficult but necessary step. Initially, Archie's weight had dwindled from 280 grams to 245 grams during his ordeal alongside Sarabi. Dr. Debbie English at Provet Animal Hospital dedicated tireless efforts to coax Archie to suckle and provide the warmth and care he needed. The initial weeks were undeniably challenging, but the hard work paid off when Archie began to feed properly and gained weight rapidly.
Once Dr. English was confident that Archie had overcome his initial hurdles, he was transferred to our rehabilitation center, where he continues to make progress on his path back to the wild. Each day reveals more of the pangolin's instincts in him as he takes to digging and enjoys rolling in the dirt. Though he hasn't yet mastered the art of consuming ants and termites, he has made strides with a few tentative licks here and there.
Archie's weight has impressively increased to 980 grams, and he stands as a testament to the resilience of these remarkable creatures. His journey is far from over, but he's a profound teacher, imparting valuable lessons and embodying the spirit of a determined fighter. We remain committed to providing you with ongoing updates on his remarkable progress.
The road ahead may be long, but Sarabi and Archie are both on a path of recovery, resilience, and hope as they work towards their ultimate return to their natural habitat
By Amy Aucamp-Clark | Campaign Manager
By Amy Aucamp-Clark | Campaign Manager
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