Pangolins are a very unique scaled animal once called “endearing” by beloved naturalist David Attenborough. He also chose them as one of 10 animals he’d save from extinction if given the chance. However, extinction is a real threat for them, primarily because demand for their scales and meat has left them the most trafficked animal in the world. With your help, though, we’ve been coming to the aid of those rescued from trafficking.

Thanks to your clicks, trivia participation, shopping for a cause, and direct donations, GreaterGood and our partner Greater Good Charities have been working for several years with Vietnamese conservation organization Wildlife At Risk (WAR). The nonprofit, based in Ho Chi Minh City, is working to preserve Vietnam’s biodiversity by combatting the illegal wildlife trade and conserving the habitat of endangered species. This work includes caring for pangolins saved from that illegal trade.

Most recently, WAR took in four pangolins rescued by environmental police in Saigon. They’re tasked with rehabilitating them and ultimately releasing them back in the wild, where possible.

The organization says, “Normally pangolins are in our care for about three to six months, depending on capability of recovery of each animal. We then do a release back to a protected area (e.g. a national park or a nature reserve). In the case of these four pangolins, the HCMC police plan to escalate the issue to the courts, which could extend the animals' length of stay in our care.”

They explain that police or forestry rangers are involved in their releases, as are representatives from the national parks or nature reserves to which the animals will be released. Paperwork is needed, and the release must be approved by the Provincial People’s Committee. Once that comes in, WAR tries to get the pangolins back to their habitat as soon as possible.

In the meantime, though, the organization provides care for the animals, which requires a hefty food budget – pangolins are ravenous eaters of ants – and enclosures to help keep the animals safe and give them space to decompress after their ordeal. Getting four pangolins in one month is more than they’re used to, as they usually care for between 10 and 12 throughout the whole year, so this has put the organization under some strain.

To help ease their burden, we’re working with Greater Good Charities to raise funds for more enclosures, which come equipped with items like large tubes with holes to hunt ants and domes to simulate underground dirt nests. The enclosures help with rehab and a breeding program that has already produced pangopups! When WAR welcomed one of these babies, which ride around on their mothers’ tails until they get a bit bigger, they shared the news with us in a past story.

WAR Director Khoi Nguyen told us at the time, "We think that the more we can contribute back to nature, the better for biodiversity - it's good for the ecosystem and finally, our environment. This birth also creates a new life. Our last 15 years of observing pangolin breeding in captivity, there is only one birth a year. So, breeding a new pangolin after a year is successful. This is also important information to educate young people of the difficulty of working to save and protect an endangered species."

Of their other scientific work, he also said, "Our facility where we save and conserve endangered species is also a 'practical workshop' for any students of biology to study more. We, at this stage, just record any observation of the species for a report as secondary data for any research in the future, including on zoonotic diseases due to trading, or animal behavior during breeding seasons, which in turn can help with management decisions, or even open a case to reintroduce and/or rehabilitate a local extinction of pangolins in a certain area."

Getting individuals back where they belong can be especially helpful for the animals, as habitat loss is a big threat to their survival. Their habitat benefits from their presence, too, because they eat termites. It’s estimated that one pangolin can protect up to 41 wooded areas from termite destruction.

With your help, we’ve been able to help build enclosures to keep these animals – and their pups – safe until they’re ready to get back into their habitat. This holiday season, we’re hoping to provide even more aid. If you’d like to join us, click below!