world first

When we get in a pangolin we are both overjoyed and filled with dread. These animals come in from the illegal trade and they are barely hanging onto life. 

One of the biggest challenges we face is treating them as so little is known about them.
So, here is the story of Aura.

She was confiscated from poachers and saved by Hemmersbach Rhino Force anti-poaching unit near Hoedspruit. They took her to Provet Wildlife Services where the vets immediately stabilised her and from here she was transported to Rhino Revolution for rehabilitation. 

One of the biggest health concerns with these confiscated pangolin is their low blood albumin. This is a very important protein and lowered levels can lead to a myriad of complications.

Aura was no different. Had she been a dog or a cat, the treatment would be a plasma transfusion obtained from a healthy donor. Not so easy with an animal this rare.

Dr K had recently collected blood for this very eventuality from one of our healthy, released pangolins named China. So Dr K immediately sent the plasma up to Hoedspruit and Aura was given the transfusion. This has never been done in a Temminck’s Ground Pangolin and it is a WORLD FIRST. The treatment was successful and Aura’s condition is improving and she has her appetite back. 

We hope that this is the start of a new chapter in pangolin treatment and we can now only wish for a positive outcome.

We treat indigenous animals free of charge, relying solely on the donations and support of our community.

Johannesburg Wildlife NPC 
FNB Cheque account
Account: 62658400264
Branch Code: 255355
Swift code: FIRNZAJJ