Pangolins are facing extinction. As one of the world’s most illegally traded mammals, they need our help.
By symbolically adopting a pangolin, you can make a difference and support those organisations that are rescuing and rehabilitating pangolins. It’s a great gift for a pangolin fan as the recipient receives an adoption pack and, sometimes, a soft toy.
David Shepherd Foundation – adoption includes a print and an optional handmade pangolin toy by Little Ndaba, a women’s community project in Zambia.
Born Free – adoption includes a pangolin soft toy and supports the Sangha Pangolin Project in the Central African Republic.
Scales Conservation Fund – adoption helps to provide veterinary treatment to pangolins retrieved from the illegal wildlife trade in the Greater Kruger area in South Africa.
Save Vietnam’s Wildlife – adopt Rolly and the other pangolins in the care of Save Vietnam’s Wildlife. Adoption provides fresh food, veterinary treatment and a place to live for injured pangolins and those waiting to be released back into the wild.
Pangolins are the world’s only scaly mammals. The word ‘pangolin’ comes from the Malay ‘penngguling’, which means ‘something that rolls up’. When threatened, they roll up into an impenetrable ball.
Despite the fact that there scales are made of keratin, the same as your fingernails and hair, they are killed and their scales removed to be made into medicine. It is estimated that a pangolin is taken from the wild every five minutes. They desperately need your help.
Here’s a few ideas of what you can do.
1. Make a donation
Many of the organisations that work directly with pangolins are small and in need of funds. These are the dedicated people rescue, rehabilitate and re-release pangolins confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade, work to raise awareness in the local communities and help to protect the places where pangolins live.
Why not increase the value of your donation by organising a sponsored event?
Pangolin rescued and released by Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary
2. Adopt a pangolin
Some of the larger international NGOs have pangolin adoption schemes. By adopting a pangolin you are making donation to their pangolin conservation programmes and you get a cute soft toy pangolin in return.
The adoption pack from the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation
3. Organise a cake bake
Raise funds for pangolin conservation by baking pangolin-inspired cakes and selling slices to your friends and colleagues.
For inspiration check out this awesomely cool pangolin cake by Davina Behin Jones.
Lots of artists and crafters that choose to feature pangolins in their art also give a proportion of their profits to charity. If you buy from them, you’re helping raise funds and by raising awareness simply by wearing a t-shirt! What you wear can be a conversation starter.
Here are a few of my favourites:
Get your kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews excited about pangolins. Share pangolin facts, colour pangolins or try your hand at some pangolin crafts. Create your own pangolin art or design a poster about pangolins – featuring crazy facts or the issues surrounding the illegal wildlife trade.
Here are my pangolin colouring and craft pages.
7. Follow Pipisin Pangolin on Instagram
Self-promotion but Pipisin is trying his best to raise awareness of pangolins. He is currently a mascot for WWF and TRAFFIC in China and would love to be friends with you too. Pipisin Pangolin’s instagram
8. Join a World Pangolin Day event
The ninth World Pangolin Day is on Saturday 15 February.
There may be events here you but if there isn’t, why not hold your own pangolin party.
9. Write to your political representative
Tell them about pangolins and ask them what your government is doing to tackle the illegal wildlife trade. Politicians represent us, the people, but it they don’t know what we care about then they might not take action.
If you see pangolins for sale in markets, restaurants or online, report it to the authorities.
10. Share
Share your love and concern for pangolins on social media. Post pictures of your World Pangolin Day celebrations; your artwork or cakes, or a selfie wearing pangolin t-shirt.
Share with your favourite celebrity or influencer, tell them about pangolins and perhaps they’ll support the conservation of these special animals too.
Use #WorldPangolinDay #Pangolin #ScalingUpPangolinConservation
Two of the lucky ones – rescued and released back into the wild where they belong by Save Vietnam’s Wildlife
Buy my book: a pocket-sized companion for when you feel like a pangolin and want to roll up into a ball.
Rachel L Shaw 