What is a pangolin ?

Most people would say they have never heard of it ! Most rangers in South Africa know what it is but have never seen one ! It is a very shy nocturnal ant eater. It is the only Southern African mammal with scales. Its immediate reaction when attacked is to roll itself into a ball that even lions cannot open.

A pangolin was found on a nearby reserve by Claudia who was out for a jog. It was caught in the bottom strand of the electric fence. Her and her colleagues from BushWise brought it to DAKTARI where Ian immediately gave him a cortisone injection and put him on a drip. He survived the night and was taken to the Wildlife vet, Dr Peter Rogers, who examined him, gave him more cortisone, and said he would probably survive by himself in the wild. "Sparky" was kept for a day or two longer and then eventually released on Makalali game reserve at least 14 kms from the nearest electric fence.