The case began as so many wildlife investigations do: with a phone call to Big Life.

An observant local community member got wind that someone was in possession of something extremely unusual, so unusual that it prompted them to contact our intelligence unit.

This led to a joint investigation with Kenya Wildlife Service, which ultimately led our ranger teams to a small, locked room in a house near the Tanzanian border. Behind it was the mysterious occupant: a ground pangolin (Smutsia temminckii), scratching about on the floor.

Preoccupied with eating the termites provided to keep it alive, the pangolin barely noticed the ensuing scuffle, during which the tables were turned on its captor.

The suspect now awaits trial and a lengthy sentence, while the pangolin was released at a safe location far from human settlement.

Since 2018, Big Life intelligence has been directly involved in 37 pangolin-related cases. Sadly in 24 of these incidents, it was too late for the pangolins, who had already been killed and stripped of their scales. But a lucky 13 were found alive and safely released.

Encouragingly, pangolin trafficking in and around our operating area appears to be gradually declining, but it has not disappeared. Our intelligence teams and rangers remain vigilant, protecting pangolins and other lesser-known species across the Greater Amboseli Ecosystem.

This pangolin survived to roam freely because a community member spoke up, intelligence teams followed the lead, and rangers acted swiftly.

From community intelligence to ranger action, your support helps make rescues like this possible.