Every Step Counts
Pangolins are the world’s most trafficked wild mammals. For those rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, survival is only the beginning. Through rehabilitation, rewilding and careful post-release monitoring, the African Pangolin Working Group gives these extraordinary animals the best possible chance of returning safely to the wild.
Every Step Counts is raising funds for six specialist camera traps that will monitor rescued Temminck’s pangolins after they’re released back into the wild. These cameras quietly capture their movements, behaviour and, hopefully, the next generation of wild-born pups, providing conservationists with critical knowledge while giving these remarkable animals the best possible chance to thrive.
Helping pangolins return to the wild
The African Pangolin Working Group is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation and protection of Africa’s four pangolin species. Their work includes rescuing, veterinary stabilising and rehabilitating illegally traded pangolins, combating wildlife crime, conducting critical research and building partnerships that support long-term conservation.
In KwaZulu-Natal, APWG is part of a pioneering reintroduction programme working to return Temminck’s pangolins to a region where the species had disappeared for more than 40 years.
Since the programme began, released pangolins have successfully bred in the wild, with pups born in Zululand. This is a powerful sign that rewilded pangolins can once again thrive in landscapes they once called home.
Now, they need help monitoring the next chapter.
Vision
APWG’s vision is to give Africa’s pangolins the best possible chance of survival. Through science, collaboration and hands-on conservation, they work to protect pangolins in the wild, support rescued animals through rehabilitation and deepen understanding of one of the world’s least studied mammals.
Mission
The African Pangolin Working Group strives towards the conservation and protection of all four African pangolin species through the rehabilitation and rewilding of illegally traded pangolins, by generating knowledge, developing partnerships and creating public awareness and education initiatives.
What they need
Right now, APWG needs six specialist camera traps to monitor rescued Temminck’s pangolins after they are released back into the wild.
Pangolins are nocturnal, solitary and extremely difficult to observe. Camera traps allow conservationists to monitor their movements without disturbing them. Positioned near burrow entrances, they can capture when a pangolin leaves at dusk, returns at dawn, settles into a territory or, in rare and special cases, appears with a pup.
This information helps researchers understand survival, breeding, dispersal and behaviour that remains largely unknown.
Through the Every Step Counts campaign, three Ker & Downey Africa team members will run the Sabi Sand Trail Run on 29 August to raise R60,000 for these camera traps. The OKOA Fund will match donations up to R60,000, doubling the impact.
“Because some species can’t outrun extinction.”
Your donation will help APWG follow the lives of rescued and released pangolins, giving them a safer return to the wild.
You can learn more about the organisation here: African Pangolin Working Group
Join the Movement
Every Step Counts is a partnership between the African Pangolin Working Group, Ker & Downey Africa and OKOA.
Together, we can help rescued pangolins return to where they belong and support the conservationists working to protect them, one careful step at a time.
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You can learn more about our mission Here.
Your donation will help monitor rescued pangolins as they return to the wild.
We need your help Donate Now
Please donate, whatever you can, today.
Pangolins are the world’s most trafficked wild mammals. With your support, we can help fund six camera traps to monitor rescued pangolins after release, giving them the best possible chance of surviving, breeding and roaming free again.
Photo’s by Gareth Thomas & Simon Needham
