Pangolin
Photo Credit: Sr Alicia & Sarah Kempen

The Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital have become experts in the field of pangolin treatment; their latest rescue has been released back to the wild.

 

Undisclosed Location, South Africa (18 December 2020) – Yet another Pangolin has been saved from the clutches of an animal trafficker and taken to the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital’s incredible team.

The veterinary hospital has become a leading expert in Pangolin medical treatment. 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 medical staff stresses the message that all pangolin patients are housed off-site at an undisclosed location for the protection of them as well as all the medical staff. Due to the animals being in high demand, they cannot risk anyone knowing where the animals are being treated.

The veterinary hospital always shares insight into how complicated the treatment of these poached pangolins can be. For the last few months, they have been caring for Tatya and Tot. At first, they only had Tatya who was severely compromised and pregnant. It meant her treatment was very limited.

“On 23 July, we received a pangolin named Tayta. She had been rescued from poachers by the South African Police Service and the Department of Homeland Security. On her arrival, we found her to severely dehydrated with abnormal lung sounds. She was also pregnant. Once stabilized, a CT scan was done, and interstitial pneumonia was diagnosed. As she was pregnant, we were limited in the treatment protocols that we could use to assist Tayta in fighting off the infection.

On 14 September, Tayta gave birth to a female pangolin pup! While we would have preferred for Tayta to give birth to her pup once released, Tayta was not well enough whatsoever for our specialist team to be happy for her release.

As Tayta was highly compromised, she was not looking after her pup and not producing enough milk to effectively care for her pup (affectionally called Tot). Thus a decision was made to separate the two, to ensure that we could effectively treat Tayta (up until this point our medical interventions had to be sensitive to her unborn pup), and keep Tot alive too. We were able to treat her pneumonia more aggressively than when she was pregnant, and we are delighted that after 120 days under our treatment, she was successfully released. She has subsequently been monitored by the team, ensuring her safety in a private reserve, and she has progressed well in her new natural environment.

Tot is doing well too, and is still under our care – we will do an update on Tot soon!”

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 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


Sources: Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital
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About the Author

Tyler Leigh Vivier is a writer for Good Things Guy.

Her passion is to spread good news across South Africa with a big focus on environmental issues, animal welfare and social upliftment. Outside of Good Things Guy, she is an avid reader and lover of tea.

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