A mission to rescue a pangolin confiscated in Kuruman in the Northern Cape led to a Limpopo foundation sponsoring a flight to the Northern Cape to have it treated at Provet Animal Hospital in Hoedspruit.

Provet Animal Hospital said on Facebook that a female Temminck’s ground pangolin was confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade and upon assessment, the veterinarian in Kuruman discovered that she was clutching a newborn pup, a little male, still wrapped in the afterbirth.

“Pangolins will often deliver pups early, when under extreme stress and trauma. The decision was made to send both pangolins to Provet for treatment and rehabilitation.”

The Aspinall Foundation sponsored the entire cost of the flight by Jana Meyer of Wildlife Helicopter Services. Dr Debbie English said upon arrival at Provet, it was found that the female had no milk to offer her baby. The baby pangolin had already lost 30g since his initial weigh-in, she said.

“His blood sugar levels were also so low that the machine could not even pick up a reading.”

“My supporting team and I had to make the heartbreaking decision of separating mom and baby, as this would offer both animals the best chance at survival. Sarabi (as the mom was named) sustained a nasty wound to her head when the poachers tried to forcefully uncurl her body with a spade, while she was curled up in her defensive position.”

The team is hopeful that the wound will heal quickly and that the female will be released back into her natural habitat fairly soon, she added.

English thanked Umoya Khulula Wildlife Centre, Emma de Jager, and Tzaneen Animal Clinic for the incredible work that they have done.

“The little boy will be handreared until he is strong and independent enough to survive in the wild. Despite the expected initial difficulties to feed him, he has picked up weight nicely and is in good health, but he has a very long rehabilitation journey ahead of him.”

She said to support the baby pangolin’s recovery, donations can be made to the Scales Pangolin Rescue Fund. Call Amy Aucamp-Clark at 078 993 5678 to contribute to this non-profit organisation.