A pregnant pangolin was rescued from a poacher and taken to the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital. In the weeks that followed, she recovered and was released, meaning she can have her baby in the wild!
Undisclosed Location, South Africa (02 August 2021) – Yet another Pangolin has been saved from the clutches of an animal trafficker and taken to the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital’s (JWVH) incredible team.
The veterinary hospital has become a leading expert in Pangolin medical treatment. However, with so many being found to have been trafficked, they have been forced to learn the best way to care for the fragile creatures.
The JWVH is currently the only facility mandated by the South African government to treat and rehabilitate pangolins confiscated in South Africa by the SAPS and conservation law enforcement officers on a long-term basis.
Earlier this year, the veterinary hospital received a massive investment into the work they do. As a result, they opened the first-ever dedicated Pangolin Veterinary Ward with thanks to Investec.
The medical staff stress the message that all pangolin patients are housed off-site at an undisclosed location to protect them and all the medical staff. Due to the animals being in high demand, they cannot risk anyone knowing where they are being treated.
“This pregnant Temminck’s pangolin (Smutsia temminckii) was retrieved from a community handover a couple of weeks back.
A collaborative effort between the African Pangolin Working Group, South African Police Service, Endangered Species and Stock Theft Unit, and the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, ensured her safety. She was then transported to us by Pangolin K9.
Once she was admitted to our hospital, our well developed Temminck’s pangolin protocol was followed, including sedation for blood samples to better understand her overall health. We discovered her pregnancy while doing a routine abdominal ultrasound, thankfully the foetus appeared alive and healthy. In addition to this, once she was stable, she was taken for a CT scan – standard protocol for all our pangolin patients to ensure that we can do everything possible for them as well as see what underlying conditions we might not be able to pick up otherwise.
She recovered from her poaching horror ordeal and has already been released. She is under the watchful eyes of the APWG team on a private reserve.
We’d also like to send a massive thanks to EmerAid and Lafeber for sponsoring a superior food supplement – Our Temminck’s pangolin patients benefit highly from this donation, and we are so grateful that we can offer the best supplement to ensure that our patients, particularly when underweight, injured or ill, stand the best chance at survival.”
They have several ways that people can help. They accept donations here or see their full wishlist here. An easy way to get involved is to also nominate them on your MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet rewards card, which you can do so here. Or via direct bank transfer, see their banking details below.
Johannesburg Wildlife NPC
FNB Cheque account
Account nr: 62658400264
Branch code: 255355
Swift code: FIRNZAJJ
Or via SnapScan: https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/PXMP5766
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