Pangolin Paige gives birth after successful rehabilitation
Paige, a pangolin rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, has fully returned to the wild, and given birth after rehabilitation at Umoya Khulula Wildlife Centre in Tzaneen.
LIMPOPO – A pangolin once rescued from the illegal wildlife trade has been given a second chance at life in the wild after completing her rehabilitation journey.
Paige, a pangolin that was confiscated with a severe snare wound, has now had her tracking tags removed, marking a major milestone in her return to complete freedom.
From snare injury to recovery
The story was shared by the Umoya Khulula Wildlife Centre on its Facebook page, where the team reflected on Paige’s difficult journey and the emotional moment of releasing her fully back into the wild.
When Paige first arrived at the centre, her small body carried visible signs of human cruelty.
The severe snare wound she suffered was a reminder of the dangers wildlife faces through illegal hunting and trafficking.
Pangolins are among the most trafficked mammals in the world, often targeted for their scales and meat in the illegal wildlife trade.
With the help of wildlife rehabilitators, she slowly recovered and was eventually released back into a protected natural environment while being monitored through tracking tags.
A new chapter: Motherhood in the wild
Months after her release, Paige reached a milestone: she gave birth to a pup in the wild.
The birth was a powerful sign that she had not only survived her traumatic experience but was also thriving in her natural habitat.
Full freedom
Recently, Paige reached the final stage of her rehabilitation when the tracking tags used to monitor her movements were removed.
According to the centre, the moment marked an emotional and symbolic step in letting her fully return to life without human oversight.
“You watch them fight. You help them heal. You monitor every movement, every milestone. And then one day, you step back.”
For the team who helped nurse her back to health, Paige’s return to the wild is the ultimate success story, one where survival has turned into motherhood, and rehabilitation has led to true freedom.
