Help Save the Most Trafficked Mammal in the World

While out on regular patrol, Wildlife Alliance forest rangers operating in Koh Kong province in southwestern Cambodia, combed through the Southern Cardamom Rainforest, dismantling illegal houses and stopping suspicious vehicles. When one such vehicle heading towards Koh Kong Town refused to pull over, the unit reacted quickly and pursued the suspected traffickers.

After a dramatic motorcycle chase, the suspects were trapped by incoming rangers. Instead of surrendering themselves, they dropped their motorcycle and took to the bushes on foot. The unit responded swiftly, and within minutes the suspects were captured and handcuffed. After a quick search of their vehicle, it was found that the offenders were in possession of a live pangolin. The offenders were taken to Koh Kong Town, where they were charged with wildlife trafficking and are awaiting trial.

Very little information is available about pangolins in the wild as they are rarely observed due to their secretive, solitary, and nocturnal habits. They are also very hard to care for in captivity due to their sensitive natures, and little research or evidence exists on their survival rates post-release. There are no standard release protocols for pangolins – a situation we hope to address with our new pangolin release project. A new pangolin release enclosure has just been constructed at Wildlife Alliance’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Station and we have fitted a few suitable pangolins with state-of-the-art transmitters that will allow for close monitoring post-release. After an acclimation period in their enclosure, the pangolins will be released and we will be able to start collecting data on their behavior and on our strategies and protocols that will support their long-term survival.

Help us save the most traffcked mammal in the world this #GivingTuesday! Your gift will help rangers rescue more pangolins, conduct vehicle checkpoints, remove traps and stop poachers. Thank you for your continued support, we have only 38 days to raise $1,797, and need your help to reach our goal and prevent this shy and gentle species from disappearing forever!

On October 17^th, a unit from the Tatai Ranger station was heading back from a long patrol when they suddenly noticed fresh footprints on the trail. The team followed the tracks into the forest for a short while before they spotted a hunter’s camp ahead. One of the hunters must have heard the rangers coming, because the camp was abandoned when the rangers got there. Upon arrival, the team searched the campsite and found 38 snares and a small bag containing a live baby Sunda pangolin. The team quickly dismantled the camp, confiscated the snares and took the baby pangolin with them to the station. Knowing the young pangolin wouldn’t be able to survive on its own, it was transferred to Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center, where it will be provided with round-the-clock care.

The illegal trade in pangolins has reached epic proportions, and these once common animals are now classified as Critically Endangered. They are rarely observed in the wild due to their secretive and solitary habits. Slow moving and lacking teeth, their primary defense is curling up into a ball, making them easy targets for poachers. Pangolins are hunted intensely for their meat and scales, and are also used in traditional medicine and as fashion accessories. To stop this illicit trade from decimating pangolin populations in Cambodia, rangers work day and night, risking their lives to protect nearly 2 million acres of rainforest. Last year alone, they removed 15,440 snares and nets and rescued 448 animals. These rangers are on the frontlines of conservation, and $3,500 will help them rescue more pangolins, conduct vehicle checkpoints, remove traps and stop poachers. Thank you for your continued support, we have 63 days to raise $1,957, and need your help to reach our goal and prevent this shy and gentle species from disappearing forever!