Save the Temminck's Pangolin in South Africa

It's been a rough start to the year, and we've got another tough rescue story to share. Lundi came to us in early January, but we can't give you all the details of her rescue just yet since the investigation is ongoing. What we can tell you is that she had been held by her captors for quite some time and was in a terrible state when we found her. She had severe pneumonia, biliary issues, dehydration, and was painfully emaciated. Not to mention, she had a nasty skin infection under the scales of her tail and some pretty hefty wounds on her feet. Once we stabilized her, we sent her for a CT scan to get a better look at her condition. The results weren't great – she had granulomas in both lungs and a big aneurysm in the main artery leading to her lungs. We started treating her, making sure she got plenty of protein through daily tube feeds to kickstart her gut again. We also took her on short foraging walks to stretch her legs and let her feed naturally. For a few days, things seemed to be looking up. She was showing interest in foraging and her pneumonia was getting better. But then, out of nowhere, she took a turn for the worse. Within just 48 hours, it was clear she had lost her fighting spirit. The biliary issues hit her hard, the infections in her wounds and lungs got worse, and her gut completely shut down. Another CT scan confirmed our fears. Despite our best efforts, her little body was giving up. It was a tough call, but we had to end her suffering and let her rest. It's been a rough ride for everyone involved. Lundi really touched the hearts of those who worked so hard to save her. But at least now, she's no longer in pain. Rest easy, little Lundi.

In May 2023, Aleah was rescued from the illegal wildlife trade during a successful sting operation that led to the arrest of one suspect. When she first came to us, she was in bad shape—skinny and dehydrated. But with the expert care of our team at Provet Animal Hospital, Aleah responded well to treatment and started on the road to recovery. After getting stable, Aleah moved to our rehabilitation center, where our caregivers took her on daily foraging walks to help her gain weight and get ready for life in the wild again. We found a good spot to release her, and ever since she went back to nature, Aleah has been thriving. We're keeping a close eye on her to make sure she's settling in well and staying healthy. Once we're sure she's comfortable, Aleah will be left to live the life she deserves—free and wild.

On December 15th, a sub-adult male Temminck's Pangolin was discovered roaming the streets of Kempton Park by concerned residents. Quick action from the South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Center ensured his safety until arrangements could be made to transfer him to an authorized facility. Transported to Terrace Road Veterinary Hospital, he was met by members of the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital for a thorough assessment before being taken to their facility for further care. Fortunately, he showed no signs of injury from his captors or his escape. It's believed he ended up in the city after being poached, managing to flee while his captors were looking for a buyer. Upon admission to Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital, the emaciated and dehydrated pangolin, now named Nicolas, received vital IV fluids and tube feeding, stabilizing him for future foraging walks. After eight days, he was deemed strong enough to continue his recovery at Provet Animal Hospital under the attentive care of Dr. Debbie English and his assigned caregivers. Nicolas's progress has been remarkable, steadily gaining weight and showing a keen appetite for ants during his nightly foraging walks. Thanks to his resilience and timely escape, Nicolas bounced back quickly. Earlier this month, he was relocated to a secure site for a soft release. Initially exploring his new surroundings, he has since settled into a familiar area, demonstrating his ability to locate essential resources such as food, water, and shelter. Daily monitoring ensures he continues to adapt well, with the team optimistic about his successful return to the wild in the coming weeks.