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13 Jun 2018

‘Back to the Wild’ – Thailand Hosts Workshop to Improve Survival Rates of Confiscated Pangolins  0

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Rescued pangolin at Wildlife Quarantine Center in Thailand. Photo: Roengchai Kongmuang / USAID Wildlife Asia

BANGKOK – Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Wildlife Asia activity successfully hosted the first pangolin care training in Thailand on techniques to boost the survival rate of wild pangolins rescued from illegal trafficking.

From April 18 to 20, USAID Wildlife Asia and DNP’s “Back to the Wild” workshop convened pangolin care experts and quarantine officials to increase pangolin survival rates when they are released.

The workshop, held at Khao Yai National Park, introduced police, customs officers and Wildlife Quarantine Centre staff to the most effective techniques for handling stressed or injured pangolins, including protocols for rehabilitating pangolins back into the wild. These threatened mammals have a heightened sensitivity to stress and thrive only on a natural diet and in a conducive habitat.

Thai Nguyen, Executive Director of Save Vietnam’s Wildlife shared his pangolin care expertise with workshop participants. Photo: Rhishja Cota (Larson) / USAID Wildlife Asia
USAID Wildlife Asia invited Thai Nguyen, Executive Director of Save Vietnam’s Wildlife, to facilitate the workshop with support from Lisa Hywood, founder of Tikki Hywood Foundation. Mr. Nguyen and Ms. Hywood are recognized as leading experts with hands-on experience and proven track records of rehabilitating and releasing confiscated pangolins.

Pangolins are the world’s most trafficked mammal with almost no chance of survival if removed from the wild.

With global trends indicating an increasing number of seizures and only an estimated 50,000 pangolins still in existence, protection of this species is growing all the more important.

“This is a unique opportunity to help improve survival rates of confiscated live pangolins,” said Dr. Pinsak Suraswadi, Deputy Director General of the DNP.

“Veterinarians and staff at the Center have been able to learn how to care for and rehabilitate these incredibly vulnerable live pangolins so they can be released back into the wild.”

“Wildlife protection is a priority for USAID,” said Richard Goughnour, Director of USAID’s Regional Development Mission for Asia.

“If we can improve coordination among first responders and wildlife quarantine staff, rescued pangolins will have a chance to thrive back in the wild in Thailand, Vietnam and across Asia.”

Participants also learned how to use the USAID Pangolin Species Identification Guide: A Rapid Assessment Tool for Field and Desk, a booklet designed to help authorities confidently identify the eight species of pangolin and pangolin products.


28 Nov 2013

122 Live Pangolins Seized in Thailand, One in Zimbabwe  0

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122 Live Pangolins Seized in Thailand, One in Zimbabwe (via Annamiticus)

Thai customs officials intercepted the smuggling of 122 live pangolins, which were stowed away in sacks inside an SUV, and believed to be headed for China. It is thought that the pangolins were captured in Indonesia and/or Malaysia. The incident occurred…

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25 Oct 2013

Pangolin Trafficking: 2011 to October 2013 [Infographic]  0

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Pangolin Trafficking: 2011 to October 2013 [Infographic] (via Annamiticus)

During the months of August through October 2013, at least 2,804 pangolins were recorded in 15 pangolin trafficking incidents across seven countries. This conservative figure represents both live and dead pangolins, as well as pangolin scales, destined…

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03 Sep 2013

102 Live Pangolins Confiscated in Thailand, Scales Seized in India  0

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102 Live Pangolins Confiscated in Thailand, Pangolin Scales Seized in India (via Annamiticus)

In a span of less than five days, two pangolin trafficking incidents were reported in two countries: On September 1, 2013, police in Khon Kaen seized 102 pangolins from a pickup truck owned by Pornchai Sangsila, a native of Samut Songkhram. This follows…

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03 Aug 2013

Pangolin Trafficking: 2011 to August 2013 [Infographic]  0

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Pangolin Trafficking: 2011 to August 2013 [Infographic] (via Annamiticus)

Updated figures for global pangolin trafficking suggest that between 91,390 and 182,780 pangolins were victims of the illegal trade during the period of 2011 through August 1, 2013. Between 1,740 and 3,480 pangolins are likely to have met their demise…

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04 Apr 2013

Southeast Asia: Over 200 Live Pangolins Seized in Less Than 10 Days  0

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Southeast Asia: Over 200 Live Pangolins Seized in Less Than 10 Days (via Annamiticus)

Authorities in Malaysia and Thailand have intercepted two illegal shipments of live pangolins in a span of less than 10 days. The first incident occurred on on March 19th, when Malaysia’s Department of Wildlife and National Parks seized 133 pangolins at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).…

30 Oct 2011

Over 200 Live Pangolins Seized from Smugglers During 30-Day Period  0

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Although pangolins are sometimes found alive, thousands are not so fortunate.


In two separate incidents within a 30-day span, authorities in Thailand and Indonesia have rescued more than 200 pangolins from wildlife traffickers.

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26 Oct 2011

September Bust Nets 100 Pangolins from Smuggler in Thailand  0

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Customs officials in Thailand recently rescued nearly 100 pangolins from certain death.


The shy, scaly anteaters are believed to have been en route to China or Vietnam, where they are consumed as delicacies. Their body parts are also used in dubious folk remedies.

They were discovered in a truck on September 25th, when the driver fled after being stopped at a checkpoint in the southern province of Prachuap Khiri Khan, according to the BBC.

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