Sebastian The Temminck’s Pangolin

The following story about a Temminck’s pangolin was submitted by Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital in South Africa.

A male Temminck’s pangolin (Smutsia temminckii) was saved from the illegal wildlife trade during a sting operation in Silver Lakes, Pretoria. Four suspects were arrested on the scene.

Sebastian was kept in a closed bag for nearly three weeks, sitting in his own urine and feces. He was extremely dehydrated and weak when he came in, and our team immediately started him on IV fluids. His blood tests were quite worrying, and Dr K. started him on our new feeding treatment protocol — liquid food specifically formulated for people with pancreatitis, malabsorption, and malnutrition. Thankfully the treatment worked, and Sebastian regained his strength and is now eating on his own. We supplement his daily foraging with EmerAid IC Carnivore, too.

He is one of the sweetest and gentlest pangolins we have ever had, and he shows genuine affection for his walkers.

He is not out of the woods yet, but so far he is making good progress.

Thank you to everyone involved in rescuing this pangolin including: Cullinan STES unit, K9 Benoni, K9 Bronkhorstspruit, K9 Pretoria, Ekhurhuleni district CIG, GDARD and Transfrontier Africa.

And always, a big thank you to our pangolin shepherds who ensure that he is walked every single day.

PLEASE NOTE: All pangolin patients are housed off site at our Investec undisclosed location for the protection of them as well as our staff.