South Africa Registered NPC Number: 2019/285721/08
USA 501(c)3 Registered EIN: 88-3925602
Pangolin Rescue Fund
Saving the most trafficked mammal in the world.
Coming together from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, the Scales Pangolin Rescue Fund is a collaboration of like minded organisations and individuals working together to save pangolins from the illegal wildlife trade. Working with the experts, we provide funding for the rescue, treatment, rehabilitation and monitoring that an individual pangolin must go through so they may be successfully released back into the wild.
What we do
Unique in appearance and seldom seen in the wild, yet pangolins have quickly become the most trafficked animal worldwide. Poached for their scales for use in traditional Asian Medicine which is believed to be a cure for various types of illnesses. Additionally, Pangolin meat is served as a delicacy in some restaurants. It is imperative that every life is saved to ensure the survival of this amazing and shy species before it is too late.
Awareness
We are dedicated to stepping up our efforts in addressing this issue. Raising awareness is by no means an easy feat, but through co-operation and education we believe we can facilitate progress in this area. We are always striving to make a difference, and invite you to learn more and lend your support
Rescue
Working closely with law enforcement and the local authorities we assist in sting operations and recovery of trafficked pangolins from the illegal wildlife trade. After their rescue, they are taken directly to our veterinary team to be assessed.
Veterinary Treatment
On admission they are weighed, sedated and put on a fluid drip to assist with dehydration. If the pangolin is female an ultrasound is done to check for pregnancy and X-rays are taken to ensure there are no internal injuries or blockages. They are then tube fed to give them a kick start of strength, and depending on how compromised the individual is, they will stay in ICU until they are stronger enough to be moved to the rehabilitation centre for further care
Rehabilitation
This stage can take anything from a couple of weeks, up to a year depending on the condition of the individual when they arrive. During this time, they are housed in a secure location and taken for daily feeding walks allowing them to forage for their favourite ants.
Release & Monitoring
They begin their journey back to the wild being closely monitored. Released in a secure wild area fitted with tracking devices that allow their movements to be tracked remotely, and so they can be physically located for health checks. The pangolins are monitored very closely for the first few days, whilst they familiarize themselves with the area. Once settled, feeding well and finding good shelter to sleep they are then left to continue without constant supervision. Our monitors will locate them daily for the first couple of weeks to do a health check, weighing them to confirm they are still feeding well. Over time this is then reduced to twice weekly, to once a week, to twice a month and then once a month until the team is confident the pangolin is established and happy in its new home. The tags are removed, and the pangolin can continue their life in the wild!
Research
Whilst the monitoring of a pangolin through its various stages of release is important to ascertain its individual needs are being met to ensure a successful release, the data collected during this time is extremely useful for ongoing research. So little is known about these unique mammals, that research is vital to ensure their survival as a species. Our monitoring data is currently being used by scientist Francios Meyer to refine release procedures.
