These Incredible People Just Helped Save One of the World’s Most Endangered Species

Poaching, the illegal wildlife trade, and human-induced loss of habitat are things that continue taking their toll on an unbelievable number of animal species. One of the animals that has suffered the most because of them happens to also be among the most curious creatures living in Asia and Africa – the pangolin. Pangolins are relatively small mammals whose skin is covered in big keratin scales that serve as a very interesting and effective protective mechanism – these animals are the only known mammals that developed this kind of protection. Pangolins are mainly nocturnal and they eat ants and termites to which end they use their long and sticky tongues. These fascinating animals are currently listed as critically endangered…

The Wildlife Rescue Team at Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand recently rescued a young male Sunda pangolin found in Phetchaburi province in central Thailand. The Sunda pangolin is one of the eight pangolin species, all of which are critically endangered.

The rescue team was called by a concerned local who reported spotting the pangolin on the side of a busy highway. The spot was far from any place that could have been the animal’s natural home. 

The rescue team collected the pangolin and transported him to the Wildlife Hospital where the vets carried out a health check.

Pangolins are sometimes called “scaly anteaters” because of their great similarity to those animals in behavior and anatomy. What makes pangolins stand out are, of course, their scales.

After a few days at the Wildlife Rescue Centre, the pangolin was transferred to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Huay Sui Wildlife Breeding center where he will be further rehabilitated.

Hopefully, the pangolin will make a quick progress and get released back to the wild very soon!

Pangolins are strictly one of the most traded mammals in the world. They are exported as live animals but also sold for their scales and even meat. We should strive to learn more about pangolins and make serious steps towards liberating them from those great dangers – or else this incredible species will be lost like so many others before.

Click here to visit the Wildlife Friends Foundation’s website and learn more about their work.