A beautiful African pangolin who was rescued from poachers has been released back into the wild after being encouraged to use her ant-hunting instincts during rehabilitation.

Casino, who is named after the car park she was found in during a police sting operation in South Africa, was so weak that would have been unable to sustain herself in her natural habitat.

The scaly mammal was saved from being sold onto the black market and trafficked to the Far East where it’s believed their skin – like rhino horn – possesses medicinal properties.

She underwent intensive rehabilitation and after being fed by hand to help her regain her strength, going out with expert trackers and gently encouraged to forage for ants like she used to.

Pangolins are the most trafficked animals in the world accounting for around 20 per cent of the illegal wildlife trade.

Casino was taken to the Kalahari Wildlife Project close to the site of her rescue, and due to her poor condition, she had to receive extensive rehabilitation.

She was taken out by expert trackers from the San community, John Kuipers and Mohammed Witbooi, who patiently helped her to find her feet.

Every night for six weeks they walked Casino through the African Bushveld as she searched for nests to feed from.

Only expert trackers from the San community have the skills and instincts to carry this out and not lose track of the pangolin.

In the wild pangolins use their long tongues to bury down into ants and termite nests to feed on the tiny insects. But due to her traumatic experience Casino needed to spend time regaining weight and strength before she could be released again.

The project is able to focus more on caring for pangolins, thanks to supporters of a unique photographic competition around the world.

Pangolin Photo Safaris, which leads tours for photographers at locations across the continent, is dedicated to the conservation of their namesake, and all entry fees from their global photographic competition goes towards buying supplies and equipment for the project's pangolin rehabilitation centre.

London-born Toby Jermyn, who co-owns Pangolin Photo Safaris, said: "The pangolin is one of the world's most beautiful and misunderstood creatures, and we are committed to their conservation.

"Everyone who enters the competition is asked to donate a much-needed item to the Kalahari Wildlife Project, which will go directly to supporting the rescue and rehabilitation of even more pangolins like Casino, because every pangolin saved is essential to the survival of this species."

After her rehabilitation Casino was taken to a secure location, from where she was taken to be released. She was also fitted with satellite and VHF trackers so that if necessary she can be given support to survive and thrive.

Toby, who is offering a £20,000 photo safari for the grand prize winner of the Pangolin Photo Challenge, added: "After Casino was released in the afternoon, we revisited her in the evening and saw that she was already eating from an ants' nest.

"She was very relaxed and it was wonderful to see her doing what she was always supposed to, back in the wild."

A beautiful African pangolin who was rescued from poachers has been released back into the wild after being encouraged to use her ant hunting instincts during rehabilitation.

Casino, who is named after the car park she was found in during a police sting operation in South Africa, was so weak that would have been unable to sustain herself in her natural habitat.

The scaly mammal was saved from being sold on to the black market and trafficked to the Far East where it’s believed their skin – like Rhino horn – possesses medicinal properties.

She underwent intensive rehabilitation and after being fed by hand to help her regain her strength, going out with expert trackers and gently encouraged to forage for ants like she used to.

Pangolins are the most trafficked animals in the world accounting for around 20 per cent of the illegal wildlife trade.

Casino was taken to the Kalahari Wildlife Project close to the site of her rescue, and due to her poor condition, she had to receive extensive rehabilitation.

She was taken out by expert trackers from the San community, John Kuipers and Mohammed Witbooi, who patiently helped her to find her feet.

Every night for six weeks they walked Casino through the African Bushveld as she searched for nests to feed from.

Only expert trackers from the San community have the skills and instincts to carry this out and not lose track of the pangolin.

In the wild pangolins use their long tongues to bury down into ants and termite nests to feed on the tiny insects. But due to her traumatic experience Casino needed to spend time regaining weight and strength before she could be released again.

The project is able to focus more on caring for pangolins, thanks to supporters of a unique photographic competition around the world.

Pangolin Photo Safaris, which leads tours for photographers at locations across the continent, is dedicated to the conservation of their namesake, and all entry fees from their global photographic competition goes towards buying supplies and equipment for the project's pangolin rehabilitation centre.

London-born Toby Jermyn, who co-owns Pangolin Photo Safaris, said: "The pangolin is one of the world's most beautiful and misunderstood creatures, and we are committed to their conservation.

"Everyone who enters the competition is asked to donate a much-needed item to the Kalahari Wildlife Project, which will go directly to supporting the rescue and rehabilitation of even more pangolins like Casino, because every pangolin saved is essential to the survival of this species."

After her rehabilitation Casino was taken to a secure location, from where she was taken to be released. She was also fitted with satellite and VHF trackers so that if necessary she can be given support to survive and thrive.

Toby, who is offering a £20,000 photo safari for the grand prize winner of the Pangolin Photo Challenge, added: "After Casino was released in the afternoon, we revisited her in the evening and saw that she was already eating from an ants' nest.

"She was very relaxed and it was wonderful to see her doing what she was always supposed to, back in the wild."

To find out more about the Pangolin Photo Challenge 2022 go to https://www.pangolinphoto.com/pangolin-photo-challenge


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