Scales Pangolin Rescue Fund

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Scales Pangolin Rescue Fund

Funding the rehabilitation & release of Temminck's Pangolins rescued from the illegal wildlife trade.

06/08/2025

It’s been a month since Bamba, our resilient male Temminck’s pangolin, arrived after his rescue from traffickers.

ALL PANGOLINS ARE HOUSED AND TREATED OFF-SITE AT UNDISCLOSED SECURE LOCATIONS.

At first, Bamba was slow to settle, cautious in his new surroundings. But with patient care, he’s feeding well on his daily foraging walks, growing more comfortable with his dedicated walker. His wounds are healing beautifully, a testament to the expert care at Provet Animal Hospital and Umoya’s rehabilitation team.

Last week, head rehabber Emma de Jager noticed a subtle change in Bamba. Her years of experience told her something wasn’t quite right, though she couldn’t pinpoint it. Trusting her intuition, she took him to Provet for a check-up. Dr. Debbie English’s expertise shone through when a blood smear revealed early signs of biliary, a parasite notoriously hard to detect in its early stages, like finding a needle in a haystack. Pangolins are particularly susceptible to this condition under stress, but thanks to Emma’s quick action and Dr. Debbie’s skill, the infection was caught early and treated before it could become critical. Bamba’s now back on track, foraging with his stubborn spirit shining through. Bamba’s progress shows the power of skilled care and vigilance.

Huge thanks to all involved in Bamba's journey so far Limpopo Pangolin Collective, Wild Heart Wildlife Foundation, , , Umoya Khulula Wildlife Centre, & Provet Animal Hospital.

03/08/2025

Myths vs. Facts! 🥐

❌ Myth: Killing poachers will stop wildlife trafficking and protect pangolins.
✅ Fact: Killing poachers actually creates more animosity toward reserves, conservation and wildlife among their families and communities, escalating the conflict.

Poachers are frequently breadwinners, driven by poverty to illegal trade. Removing them without addressing root causes, will just fuel resentment, leading to further poaching or sabotage against conservation efforts.

Apprehending suspects legally, ensuring they face trial while advocating for sustainable solutions like community education and economic support is the best way to combat wildlife poaching for the long term.

25/07/2025

Shortly after Bamba’s rescue, the sting team got word of another pangolin caught in the illegal wildlife trade. Two suspects smuggled a female Temminck’s pangolin from Plumtree, Zimbabwe, across the border into South Africa, where a covert operation led to her rescue and their arrest. The two suspects are awaiting trial in South Africa.

ALL PANGOLINS ARE HOUSED AND TREATED OFF-SITE AT UNDISCLOSED SECURE LOCATIONS.

Plum, named after her believed origin in Plumtree, was found hidden in a bag inside another bag, weak, dehydrated, and very skinny. The Bateleurs pilot Lloyd Rogers swiftly flew her to Provet Animal Hospital, where Dr. English assessed her, confirming she was underweight but resilient, with no major injuries. Plum received fluids and nutritional support to stabilize her fragile condition before transferring to Umoya Khulula Wildlife Centre for rehabilitation.

Plum’s recovery at Umoya is off to a strong start. She’s eating well, eagerly foraging for ants in the late afternoon, but her low body fat makes her vulnerable to the cold winter nights we are currently experiencing, so her walkers monitor her closely, ensuring she returns not long after the sun sets to be tucked in with blankets and a warm bean bag to maintain her body temperature.

A huge thank you to all involved in Plum’s rescue and recovery: Limpopo Pangolin Collective, , , , Provet Animal Hospital and Umoya Khulula Wildlife Centre for giving Plum a second chance.

23/07/2025

Did You Know❓

Some of your responses to a recent photo in our Bamba post inspired this month’s Did You Know, diving into the unique reproductive anatomy of male Temminck’s pangolins. Unlike most mammals, their te**es are internal, safely tucked inside the body, and their p***s, pointing toward the head, is neatly housed within a protective sheath when not in use. This rare design, suits their low metabolic rate and habit of curling into a tight, armored ball to fend off predators. These adaptations shield vital organs, helping pangolins survive and pass on their genes. In the photos, Artie (left) shows his p***s tucked away, while Bamba (right), whose image sparked many of your questions, has his visible.

We love hearing from you, so drop a comment with any questions about Temminck’s pangolins and we’ll answer as best we can, as there’s still much to learn about this incredible species!

19/07/2025

Earlier this month, a tip-off sparked a rescue mission to save a Temminck’s pangolin from the trade.

ALL PANGOLINS ARE HOUSED AND TREATED OFF-SITE AT UNDISCLOSED SECURE LOCATIONS.

Two suspects were arrested and the pangolin was retrieved wrapped in clothing and crammed into a crate. Upon rescue, he was taken to Provet Animal Hospital, where Dr. English conducted a thorough assessment. Weighing 10.4kg but underweight for his size, this male pangolin was dehydrated and had wounds on both front feet and under some of his scales, likely from confinement. After three days in ICU receiving treatment for dehydration and wound care, he was transferred to Umoya Khulula Wildlife Centre for rehabilitation.

Now named Bamba, he has shown a cautious yet stubborn demeanor but is gradually becoming more comfortable with the team. His wounds are healing well, and he’s steadily gaining weight, eagerly eating ants on his daily foraging walks. The team is optimistic about his progress toward full recovery and eventual release to the wild.

Sincere thanks to all involved for their dedicated efforts in Bamba’s rescue and recovery: Limpopo Pangolin Collective, Provet Animal Hospital, Umoya Khulula Wildlife Centre, Wild Heart Wildlife Foundation, , and .

17/07/2025

Today is GlobalGiving’s July Bonus Day! We fight for South Africa’s Critically Endangered pangolins, devastated by poaching. Their numbers are crashing, with up to 20% lost yearly. Your donation supports this project today, so double your impact now!

🥐 Archie’s Journey
Archie was born while his mother was being held by poachers, a fragile start. Both were rescued in a successful rescue, but sadly she died from the stress and injuries she sustained whilst protecting him from them. At just 280g, Archie was tiny! Our dedicated team nurtured him with special diets and a safe haven, growing him into a feisty 9kg pangolin, now thriving wild in a reserve!

🧡 Double Your Donation Now to Save More!
Matching funds are live until 5:00pm today (SAST)! Donate $100+ to support our mission & your double gift.

Donate Now 👉 https://goto.gg/59829
Help more pangolins like Archie thrive!

Provet Animal Hospital Umoya Khulula Wildlife Centre Tzaneen Animal Clinic Limpopo Pangolin Collective

16/07/2025

Maruti’s Journey🥐

ALL PANGOLINS ARE HOUSED AND TREATED OFF-SITE AT UNDISCLOSED SECURE LOCATIONS.

November 2022, a female Temminck’s pangolin, barely clinging to life, is rescued from poachers at Beitbridge Port of Entry by the Limpopo Pangolin Collective and authorities. She was in a heartbreaking state; starving, dehydrated, with infected scales from being crammed in a wet, filthy bag by traffickers. But this little fighter, lovingly named Maruti, wasn’t giving up. Dr. Debbie English at Provet Animal Hospital worked miracles, pulling her through ICU with round-the-clock care. Then, the amazing team at Umoya Khulula Wildlife Centre stepped in, showering her with love and rehab until she was strong enough to reclaim her spot in the wild. Today, Maruti’s out there living her best life, slurping up ants like nobody’s business, with our pangolin monitor keeping tabs to make sure she’s thriving.

But the story gets even better. Last month, the two poachers who nearly stole her future were handed an 8 and half year jail sentence each, thanks to the expert testimonies that told the story of Maruti. This is a massive win for pangolin justice!

Maruti’s journey from near-death to wild and free shows what’s possible when we all work together to fight for these scaly sweethearts. Every pangolin saved, like Maruti, Henry, or Ntombi, is a testament to the love and grit of our community, you included!

Huge love to Umoya Khulula Wildlife Centre, Provet Animal Hospital, Tzaneen Animal Clinic, Limpopo Pangolin Collective, Francois Meyer, , and for being the dream team behind Maruti’s story.

📷 Credit - Francois Meyer

03/07/2025

Time for Myths vs. Facts! 🥐

❌ Myth: Pangolins are slow, clumsy critters that bumble around awkwardly.
✅ Fact: Nope! These scaly champs are like little bulldozers, powering through thick bush with quick sprints and even climbing when needed using their strong claws and tail. (Remember the video we shared not so long ago of Timothy 'rock climbing'?) Their scales act like armour, shielding them from branches and thorns as they 'bulldoze' their way forward!

27/06/2025

📸 Calling all wildlife and landscape photographers!

Our annual Scales Conservation Fund Wildlife Photo Competition is back, and we can’t wait to see your stunning images. Submissions open next week on 1st July, so start going through your pictures now to dig out your favourites to enter or get your cameras and start capturing that winning shot!

Showcase your talent, celebrate Africa’s natural wonders, and help create awareness for conservation. Don’t miss your chance to be featured in our 2026 calendar!

25/06/2025

Ntombi’s got us all curious! 🥐 Our mama-to-be is thriving in the wild, and we’ve got a sweet video of her emerging from a burrow she’s been cozying up in for several nights in a row now. Is this her new home? Or is she prepping for the arrival of her little one? Time will tell, and we’re on the edge of our seats!

ALL PANGOLINS ARE HOUSED AND TREATED OFF-SITE AT UNDISCLOSED SECURE LOCATIONS.

Our monitoring team’s keeping a close eye on her, and this burrow habit has us buzzing with excitement for what’s next. As always a huge thanks to Umoya Khulula Wildlife Centre Provet Animal Hospital Limpopo Pangolin Collective Tzaneen Animal Clinic and our amazing donors for giving Ntombi and her future pup a wild life.

23/06/2025

Did you know❓

🥐 Temminck’s pangolins can be right- or left-‘handed’ just like us! These scaly pals use their front claws to dig for ants and termites, and they often favour one side over the other, showing a quirky ‘handedness.’

Fun fact: We’ve noticed more right-handed pangolins in our care than lefties, guess they’re mostly right-claw rockstars! This cool trait reminds us how unique each pangolin is, and why we’re so passionate about saving them from poaching.

20/06/2025

🌈 TOMORROW’S THE DAY - GO WILD at the RAINBOW RUSH CHALLENGE! 🌈

Scales Conservation Fund is throwing a COLOR-PACKED party to save our pangolin pals! Sprint, strut, or sparkle through a rainbow-drenched course, with a big slice of the funds racing to our Pangolin Rescue Fund to keep these scaly superstars safe.

Imagine yourself splashed in bright colours, running for the world’s most trafficked mammal, it’s gonna be EPIC! 🎉

📅 When: June 21st (TOMORROW!) 📍 Where: The Thirsty Giraffe , Hoedspruit 🎨 Sign Up: www.scales.org.za/event-details/rainbow-rush-challenge-2025

Round up your squad, rock your boldest outfit, and let’s flood Hoedspruit with RAINBOW vibes for pangolin protection! Share this post to spread the word and make this colour-fest a WIN for conservation! 🥐

Umoya Khulula Wildlife Centre Provet Animal Hospital Limpopo Pangolin Collective Tzaneen Animal Clinic

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Our Story

South Africa is home to the little known Temminck's ground pangolin. There is a rapidly escalating and urgent need to help save pangolins confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade. ProVet Wildlife Services are at the cutting edge of these conservation efforts, and are leading the way in rescue and rehabilitation of these elusive and critically endangered species.

Pangolins are the world's most illegally trafficked animal in the world! Poached for both traditional African beliefs, as well as rapidly developing Asian markets for use in traditional medicines and as a delicacy. The fact is that pangolin scales are made out of keratin. No different to human finger and toenails.

The Pangolin Rescue Fund is working very closely with ProVet Wildlife Services, Hoedspruit's specialist wildlife veterinarians, led by Dr Pete Rogers, as the rescued pangolin first responders, medical carers and support for all pangolins rescued from the illegal wildlife trade in the Hoedspruit area. The pangolins arrive severely compromised, stressed, malnourished and dehydrated, requiring around the clock medical care and support.

With your help through contributions, symbolic adoptions and raising awareness we can give the pangolins that are rescued from the illegal wildlife trade a second chance in life and return them back to the wild where they belong!