The Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital has a new children’s book that teaches young minds about saving local wildlife, and it will help support the pangolins.
Johannesburg, South Africa (03 February 2023) – The Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital joined forces with Brave Bear Books to make a children’s book about saving Pangolins. The book, called “Help Brave Bear Save His Friends” will raise funds towards the care of pangolins rescued from poachers.
The Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital operates South Africa’s first dedicated pangolin ward at an undisclosed location. Having taken in so many poached pangolins, the team have become the leading experts in saving these traumatised and often near-death creatures after being rescued from poachers.
Despite the incredible investment from Investec for the specialised pangolin ward, the costs of treatment and care of pangolins are always on the rise. The SPCA and SAPS often call upon the team to take in the pangolins found throughout South Africa, being smuggled across the borders to foreign markets.
The team raise funds in a variety of ways but this new book is one of our favourites so far! Brave Book adventures are written and edited by a group of psychologists, teachers, moms, and dads with contributions from various organisations.
In this book, Brave Bear teaches children to care for local wildlife, including Patrick the pangolin and Harry the hedgehog. The book is available for purchase from the wildlife vet here and can be bought in English and Afrikaans.
Pangolins are so vulnerable because they are easy to pick up and carry away. They are soft, quiet animals by nature. This has led to them being the most illegally trafficked mammal on earth.
“We treat all ground pangolin confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade in South Africa. They are usually compromised – they have often not had food or water for up to 2 weeks, been kept confined and subjected to high levels of fear and stress. This protected and endangered species has very specific husbandry requirements which are hands-on and involve time. The medical cost to treat these animals is high.”
The team treat all indigenous wildlife free of charge. Should you wish to support them in other ways, you can find out how here.
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