Trafficked and hurt, young Pangolin Faith gets second chance at life
The pangolin named Faith was rescued from the wildlife trade and is now recovering at the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital.
Not long ago, a young pangolin, named Faith, was pulled from the shadow of the illicit wildlife trade and given a second chance at life at the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital in Glenferness.
Wendy Willson, from the hospital, said Faith was first spotted wandering in distress in Seraleng, North West Province, by a concerned community member who realised something was terribly wrong.
Read more: Pangolin rescued by an e-hailing driver
She said her condition, and injuries, told a heartbreaking story. She had been snatched from the wild by poachers and held captive, but somehow managed to escape. “With the Rustenburg SPCA and provincial conservation officials stepping in, a rescue mission was launched to transport her to Johannesburg for urgent care.
“When she arrived, Faith was weak, injured, and showing the effects of long days without food or water.”
Willson said that despite the hardship Faith endured, her fighting spirit quickly shone through. “Faith’s fighting spirit reminded us why every single rescue matters.”
Also read: First pangolin ward in Africa established
As her health improves, Faith’s playful personality is winning over everyone involved in her recovery. Staff describe her as a ‘happy-go-lucky little soul’, who has already learned clever tricks to get their attention, including banging on the security gate to set off the baby monitor.
Her story, Willson says, is more than just one animal’s survival. “The illicit wildlife trade is threatening decades of conservation work, but when one animal is saved, it’s a victory for all of us, a small step forward, and a reminder of why this work matters.
The Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital has appealed for public support to continue its work. “Poached pangolins suffer terribly, and every life saved is a victory against extinction. Our hospital exists to right the wrongs that befall our precious wildlife. Your support makes rescues and recoveries, like Faith’s, possible.”
She said for security reasons, pangolins in care are kept at offsite, protected locations.
Details for donations: Www.johannesburgwildlifevet.com
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