Whispers of the Forest: Saving the World’s Rarest Mammal

Pangolins — sometimes called “scaly anteaters” — once quietly roamed forests, grasslands, and savannas across Africa and Asia, playing a vital role in keeping ecosystems balanced. Today, they are the world’s most trafficked mammal, with all eight species threatened with extinction. 

A Global Effort to Save Pangolins

Across Southeast Asia and West Africa, conservation teams are working together to:

• End the illegal wildlife trade
  Pangolins are the world’s most trafficked mammal — but change is coming.

• Protect and restore natural habitats
  Safe, wild spaces are essential for pangolins to survive and thrive.

• Disrupt trafficking networks
  Law enforcement and local partners are taking action on the front lines.

Meet the Pangolin Crisis Fund (PCF)

At the heart of this global movement, the PCF is leading the charge with one mission:
Stop poaching. Stop trafficking. Secure a future for pangolins.

A Vision of Protection, A Promise of Survival

Launched by the Wildlife Conservation Network in partnership with Save Pangolins, the Pangolin Crisis Fund is dedicated to ending the illegal poaching and trafficking of pangolins, protecting and restoring critical pangolin habitats, and raising global awareness about the urgent plight of these endangered mammals. 

The PCF invests in high-impact conservation projects addressing every stage of the pangolin crisis including:

• Trains and equips anti-poaching teams to combat illegal pangolin hunting

• Supports law enforcement efforts to disrupt pangolin trafficking networks

• Funds rescue, rehabilitation, and release programs for pangolins confiscated from wildlife criminals

• Backs scientific research on pangolin ecology and behavior to inform effective conservation strategies

• Promotes community-based wildlife education programs that empower local people to protect pangolins and their natural habitats

By partnering with trusted field organizations and streamlining funding to avoid delays, the PCF ensures that vital resources reach frontline conservation efforts quickly and effectively—demonstrating that successful pangolin conservation is both possible and imperative.

Pangolins as Ecosystem Engineers

Pangolins are more than fascinating animals — they are vital to the health of their ecosystems. A single pangolin can consume tens of thousands of ants and termites in a night, controlling insect populations that might otherwise damage vegetation and soil health.

When pangolins dig for food, they mix up the soil—just like gardeners! This helps plants grow and gives bugs and animals new places to live. Remove pangolins from the ecosystem, and you disrupt a delicate balance — affecting species far beyond the pangolin itself.

The PCF understands that saving pangolins means preserving this balance, protecting biodiversity, and safeguarding the cultural and ecological heritage of their home regions.

Frontlines of the Fight: From Rescue to Release

The Pangolin Crisis Fund (PCF) is backing innovative tools and frontline rescue work that are making a real difference.

High-Tech Helpers: Meet the HeroRATs 🐀

In Africa, PCF supports the training of African giant pouched rats—nicknamed HeroRATs—through a partnership with APOPO and the Endangered Wildlife Trust:

• These rats are trained to detect pangolin scales in shipping containers,

• They can reach tight spaces where sniffer dogs can’t,

• Helping to stop traffickers before pangolins disappear.

Rescue. Rehab. Release.

Across Africa and Asia, PCF funds:

• Rescue centers that care for confiscated pangolins,

• Veterinary teams that treat and rehabilitate injured animals,

• Rewilding efforts that release pangolins into protected habitats.

💡 Camera traps have even captured images of released pangolins surviving in the wild—a hopeful sign of recovery!

What This Means for Pangolins

With the right tools and teamwork—like HeroRATs, expert care, and global support—pangolins can bounce back.

 

Community Conservation in Action

The Pangolin Crisis Fund (PCF) isn’t just protecting pangolins—it’s empowering communities to lead the way.

Spotlight: Katala Foundation in the Philippines

In Palawan, PCF supports the Katala Foundation, which protects the rare Palawan pangolin through:

• Wildlife monitoring
  Local residents track and report pangolin activity in their area.

• Conservation education
  Programs raise awareness about pangolins and their importance to the ecosystem.

• Incentive-based rewards
  Communities earn points for pangolin sightings—redeemable for items like farming tools and household goods.

What’s Next?

The next phase of the program will:

• Expand into more villages, and

• Create the first network of community-led protected areas in Palawan.

🌱 It’s a powerful model—where conservation success benefits both pangolins and people.

🐾 Bring the Rainforest Home with edZOOcation®

Inspired by the incredible work of the Pangolin Crisis Fund, edZOOcation® brings the magic of pangolin conservation into your home — with a hands-on kit that helps kids explore, learn, and make a real impact. Packed with hands-on activities, crafts, and conservation challenges, the kit helps kids discover why pangolins matter — and how they can help protect them.

A Future Worth Fighting For

The Pangolin Crisis Fund proves that even the world’s most secretive animals deserve a spotlight — and a fighting chance. Explore how you can make a difference at pangolincrisisfund.org and bring the rainforest home with edZOOcation’s Pangolin Box.