Save the Temminck's Pangolin in South Africa

As South Africa transitions from the heat of summer into the cooler, drier days of winter, the Scales Pangolin Rescue Fund continues its vital work thanks to your generous support. Your donations have funded critical veterinary care, rehabilitation, monitoring equipment, and safe releases at secure, undisclosed locations. Our long-term stars — Biscuit, Ntombi and her growing pup, and Archie — remain strong in the wild. Over the past months, new tales of courage and recovery have unfolded, from quiet determination to full freedom, each one made possible by donors like you.

Isabella has impressed everyone with her steady progress. Rescued in November 2025, severely dehydrated and covered in ticks after days in a bag, she received expert care at Hoedspruit Animal Hospital - ProVet before moving to Umoya Khulula Wildlife Centre. She began her soft release in early January and has settled beautifully — confidently navigating rocky terrain, foraging well, and gaining weight steadily. Johnny, our patient little male who arrived underweight in August 2025, finally reached his 6kg release weight and stepped into his soft release site once the summer floods passed. He is already modifying his first burrow and exploring with natural confidence.

We’ve also celebrated wonderful milestones with pangolins who have reclaimed their wild lives. Paige is now completely free — tags removed, fully independent with her healthy pup by her side. Olive, rescued in horrific condition in 2023 (covered in oil and burns, blind from infection), continues to amaze: she has successfully raised two pups in the wild and is thriving without monitoring. Faith remains content in her soft release, calmly claiming her territory, while Nemo, the determined fighter rescued after 10 days in captivity, showed incredible spirit — returning to the bush within a month and foraging naturally from the moment he touched the ground.

The past weeks also brought both challenge and hope. In one intense day, our partners rescued three pangolins and helped arrest nine suspects. While we sadly lost one small female despite heroic veterinary efforts, the other two — including a pregnant female and tiny Kuru — continue fighting and receiving round-the-clock care. Kuru, in particular, is starting to turn the corner and grow stronger daily. Though not every story ends happily, every operation removes threats from the trade and gives survivors the best chance possible.

Your support turns these difficult rescues into second chances and creates ripple effects that reach new life in the wild. As cooler winter days settle in, we are deeply grateful to stand with you in protecting these remarkable animals.

With heartfelt thanks from the bush,