Greater Good Charities is dedicated to the conservation of species identified as in peril, threatened, endangered, or close to extinction throughout the world.
This Endangered Species Day, we’re celebrating an important milestone for one of the world’s most vulnerable animals — the pangolin.
Poachers kill as many as 2.7 million African pangolins every year. Their meat is considered a delicacy by some in China and Vietnam, while their scales and fetuses are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Because of this, these shy, reclusive animals have become the most heavily trafficked wild mammal in the world.
But with the help of supporters like you, Greater Good Charities is making a difference.
Our partner, Wildlife At Risk, recently completed construction on an enclosure for pangolins rescued from the trafficking trade in Vietnam. The enclosure will act as a place for the pangolins to recover as well as a breeding program for the recovery of the species.
Check out this footage of two pangolins discovering their new enclosure after being rescued from wildlife trafficking trade:
As you can see in some of the photos, they have a large tube with small holes placed around it. Those were added so the pangolins can hunt for ants in the center of the tube (they have tongues much like an anteater). Prior to this, they were eating out of a dog bowl.
©Wildlife at Risk and Greater Good Charities
©Wildlife at Risk and Greater Good Charities
©Wildlife at Risk and Greater Good CharitiesWe also installed domes for the pangolins since they like to coil in dirt nests underground. For their safety they are not able to dig deep at the facility, so we are hoping the domes will be a good substitute.
This achievement is a powerful example of how collective action can make a difference for endangered species. Through your support, rescued pangolins now have a safe place to heal.
Support our efforts to protect wildlife around the world!
