A less threatening animal you’d be hard-pressed to find…
Come to think of it, you’d be very hard-pressed to find the pangolin itself. Considered by many guides and trackers to be the Holy Grail of wildlife sightings, pangolins’ nocturnal habits and secretive ways mean that for most part they aren’t seen. Maybe not ever.
The reality the world is currently facing though, is we are approaching a time in which they may never be seen again. Pangolins are ranked as number one in the most-trafficked animals list, and their numbers are in a rapid decline all over Africa and Asia.
There are a number of different species of these wonderfully unique mammals (eight in total; four each in Asia and Africa), and all are under threat. Their meat is considered a delicacy in some eastern countries, and the reputed medicinal properties of their scales are said to be a cure-all, although there is no evidence to support this claim.
The real value of a pangolin’s scales; self-defence.
World Pangolin Day, February 15th, is about raising awareness of the plight of these ant-eating mammals. This year marks the 9th edition of WPD, and thankfully, awareness does seem to be spreading.
Six international airlines (British, Swiss, Austrian, Lufthansa, Air Portugal and KLM) will be taking the pangolin message to the skies, by screening the groundbreaking documentary Eye of the Pangolin on their long-haul routes.
10 tons of pangolin scales were recently confiscated in eastern China, and whilst this is a clear indicator that the illegal trade is still very much flourishing, it is a positive that China are clamping down on international wildlife trafficking.
The view most people lucky enough to see a pangolin are likely to have. Pangolins tend to be shy; to see one actually walking around is incredibly special.
Locally – thankfully – pangolins are doing well. Although they are still a rarity, 2018 and 2019 saw a much higher sightings rate than normal across Londolozi. This was most likely due to the dry conditions, which prevented the Pangolins from remaining hidden in the grass. We even named one of our smaller roads “Pangolin Link”, after there were a number of sightings in close proximity over the course of a few months. I imagine that name might give many people false hope, but still…
Do what you can to raise awareness today about the plight of these wonderful creatures; tweet, post on Instagram, Facebook, whatever social media platform you use.
#worldpangolinday is the hashtag to use.
Even the smallest ripples can build into giant waves when heaped on top of one another, and every little bit of awareness helps…
James, thank you for sharing this message. The video is brilliantly produced and I’ve shared your blog via my Facebook link.
Hi Denise, thanks very much!
James, I loved the leopard trying to eat a palgonlin
Hi Joan,
Interestingly, a number of times when pangolins have been found it has been because we’ve found one of the big cats that has found them first, and are struggling to chew on them!
I read recently that it is possible the pangolin was the species carrier for the Corona virus in the animal to human stage of transmission. If so, it could be beneficial to pangolins, as instead of people thinking their scales are a universal cure-all they might be viewed as potential disease carriers? If demand drops, then so does trafficking.
Hi Suzanne, let’s keep fingers crossed that the demand does drop!
Best regards
Love these special sweet souls so much. Thank you for bringing awareness to them 🙂
The adorable pangolin seems to rank up there with rhino horn as Medecine. We have always hoped to see one at Londolozi,but no luck. There are rumors that the pangolin is the carrier of the corona virus, maybe this will put the Chinese from wanting to eat them. Will do what I can by talking about the plight of the pangolin to people. Victoria
Thanks Victoria.
Hopefully you’ll get lucky here one day!
We, in fact, had our first pangolin sighting at Londolozi–with pretty much the same view as the photo. We left and went to Tswalu where there was an abundant number of the animals. It was fascinating walking near them as they scurried around in the desert-like conditions.
Hi Vin, was that last year? I remember having a chuckle at that as Tswalu is THE place to see them. I doubt the rangers there would have expected you to have already ticked that box at Londoz! 😉
It was after we left Londolozi in 2019. Our ranger was surprised and quickly turned his attention to the aardvarks which were also in abundance. (He had great things to say about Londolozi.)
I first learned of these shy creatures through your blog and they captured my imagination. Very glad that Londolozi is doing their part in spreading the protective word today, and I will post information about them on my social media to help out to do my part as well.
Watching Eye of the Pangolin was a real eye-opener for me, such an incredible film!