Courageous Young Sango the Pango on His Way to Freedom!

Photo Credit: African Pangolin Working Group

Sango the pangolin was rescued from the illegal wildlife trade and named after a hero who fought for his kind. Freedom is now on his horizon as he gears up for life in the wild.

South Africa (23 September 2026) – A young pangolin named Sango is well on his way back to the wild where he belongs.

Sango was recently rescued from the illegal wildlife trade through the quick action of the South African National Defence Force and South African Police Service before being placed in the care of the African Pangolin Working Group (APWG).

He arrived at the organisation’s Pangolarium exhausted after what the team believes had been several days of fighting for freedom, but fortunately remained strong and in good health. Since then, he has been closely monitored and is making good progress.

Photo Credit: African Pangolin Working Group

Sango was named in honour of the late Fanie Masango, a wildlife advocate who was among the early people working directly with law enforcement to infiltrate the illegal pangolin trade and rescue animals before they disappeared back into it.

“Operating on the side of law enforcement is not easy. Knowing the fate of a pangolin is in your hands; that your skills and strength stand between a successful rescue or a pangolin disappearing back into the trade is an extremely heavy responsibility and burden to bear.” shared APWG in May.

“Fanie was one of the very first pangolin advocates working to infiltrate the trade and rescue pangolins from the hands of harm. His commitment to them gave us all motivation and hope that we could win this war together.”

Sango, they say, is living up to his great name and proving to be just as strong of a fighter.

Sango’s next steps will be a monitored release into a new territory, where he will continue to be watched for a few months to make sure he settles in safely.

At the moment, he’s happily getting on with pangolin things – foraging, exploring and enjoying a good roll in zebra poop, as one does. The African Pangolin Working Group shared a very cute glimpse of Sango below!