Poaching Drives Pangolins Toward Extinction

HARARE, ZIMBABWE, 24 JUNE 2018: Pangolin caregivers at an anonymous farm care for rescued pangolins, helping them to find ants and termites to eat and keeping them safe from predators and poachers. The Tiki Hywood trust undertakes public awareness campaigns on Pangolins, trains law enforcement and judiciary personnel, conducts research, and rehabilitates pangolins that have been confiscated from the illegal trade. They are based in Zimbabwe but operate with partners across Africa and advise in Asia. Founder Lisa Hywood is seen as a global expert on how to care for Pangolins in captivity. The trust also engages with other organisations and governments throughout Africa to highlight the plight of pangolins, raising awareness of their conservation status and educating them as to the need for conserving pangolins, as well as implementing conservation actions. Many of their activities are not covered by research grants and they rely on sponsors and donations to continue their work. Donations are used to train law enforcement and judiciary personnel, rehabilitate confiscated pangolins, raise public awareness and further engage with African role-players to increase the conservation status of pangolins across Africa. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images)