Episode 33: Pangolin Protectors

Pangolins, the only scaled mammals in the world, are threatened by the illegal wildlife trade. But in Mozambique’s Gorongosa National Park, a team of wildlife heroes is raising local awareness of the species’ plight and fighting to save injured pangolins at the country’s only pangolin rehabilitation center.

Elias Mubobo, a Mozambican wildlife veterinarian, works day and night to help this bizarre creature, which is considered a herald of good fortune and longevity in his community. He counts on Gorongosa’s rangers to assist him to save as many pangolins as possible. All of them work together to nurse pangolins back to health and return them to the wild.

Elias, who grew up near the park, knows the importance of having the local community as allies in protecting the pangolins. He invites children from the park’s surrounding communities to visit the rehabilitation center and learn about efforts to rescue this special species. He hopes this will encourage the next generation to become pangolin protectors themselves.