Rescued Pangolin Stevie Returns to Wild After Surviving Illegal Trafficking

The remarkable story of Stevie, a Temminck's pangolin, highlights the challenges and successes in combating the illegal wildlife trade. Rescued as a three-month-old infant from the streets of Johannesburg, South Africa, Stevie was entangled in the illicit trafficking of pangolins. His journey back to the wild is a testament to dedicated conservation efforts.

For six months, specialized veterinarian Kelsey Skinner provided Stevie with intensive care. This included administering a milk formula for kittens, offering crucial medical attention, and teaching him the essential skills needed to forage and survive independently in his natural habitat. Skinner noted that Stevie was named after Stephen Khoza, a police dog handler whose crucial role led to the arrest of the elusive wildlife trafficker attempting to sell the young pangolin. The operation involved several days of intense negotiations during a sting operation.

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You can't save a species if there are no more individuals left to save.

Pangolins, often called scaly anteaters, are the only mammals covered in scales and are tragically the most trafficked wild mammals globally. Estimates suggest over a million pangolins were illegally traded internationally between 2000 and 2016, with at least half a million more involved in trade from 2016 to 2024, based on seizure data. Their scales are sought after for traditional medicine in East Asia, and their meat is considered a delicacy, driving this devastating demand.

Despite the grim statistics, conservationists and law enforcement agencies are intensifying efforts. In South Africa, approximately 80% of Temminck's pangolins found are still alive at the time of rescue. However, rehabilitation is exceptionally demanding, as rescued pangolins are often young, injured, and struggle with captivity. Stevie's successful return to the wild in 2022 marks a significant victory, contributing to the complex and vital process of ensuring the survival of this unique and often overlooked species.

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The young was still supposed to be with its mother, but she was nowhere to be found.