Raising awareness and educating people about pangolins—one of the most trafficked mammals on Earth—is key to preventing their extinction.
Photos by Joao Coelho; text by Janado Nazare Cher
The Gorongosa Girls Clubs and the Park Conservation Department organized a special event on World Pangolin Day to celebrate and inspire the next generation of pangolin conservationists.
The day was filled with emotion and packed with joy, inspiration and a deep commitment to conservation. Students and adults watched videos together, toured the Pangolin Rehabilitation Center, launched a new children’s book, planted trees, danced and sang, and witnessed the release of a rehabilitated pangolin back into the wild.
Three girls and three boys were honored for their participation in the 1st Edition of Children’s Stories for a Better World, a competition made possible by Cruzada por Los Niños. The winning contributors received awards in several categories, recognizing their creativity and dedication.
Ignácio Campos, representing Cruzada por Los Niños, presented the brochure Shaka: The Pangolin, featuring cover artwork designed by the first-place winners. He also shared exciting news—the initiative may continue, with more editions of Children’s Stories to come.
Prizes included bicycles, school supplies, scholarships, and food baskets. The event was a powerful reminder that conservation and education go hand in hand, shaping a better world for people and wildlife.
Mozambique’s First Pangolin Rescue Program
Gorongosa Rangers work tirelessly to rescue pangolins from poachers and traffickers operating near Mozambique’s borders with Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi.
The Pangolin Rehabilitation Center at Gorongosa—Mozambique’s first pangolin rescue program—has successfully treated and released over 100 pangolins. Many arrive in critical condition, requiring intensive care, post-trauma treatment, and rehabilitation. Some need hospitalization, while orphaned babies may remain in care for over a year before they are strong enough to return to the wild.
With education, rescue efforts, and community involvement, Gorongosa National Park is leading the charge to protect pangolins and ensure their survival.
Of the eight pangolin species worldwide, four live in Africa—ground, giant, white-bellied, and black-bellied. The remaining four—Chinese, Sunda, Indian, and Philippine pangolins—are found across Asia, where they face extreme threats from the illegal wildlife trade.
