While pangolins are typically shy and secretive, Neal loves to play with his caregivers and give them “baths” with his long, muscular tongue. This is the first step in learning how to use his special tongue to forage for ants in the forest.
“I hope to release him to the SaintMarks pangolin rehabilitation center once he is of age and able to forage for himself accordingly,” Ofua said. “The center is in a protected forest, and he hopefully will live the rest of his days there.”WildAid, an organization focused on reducing global consumption of wildlife products and increasing local support for conservation efforts, has funded the building of a “pangolorum” — the first of its kind in West Africa. This area will serve as the soft release site for rescued pangolins being reintroduced into the wild — including Neal when he’s ready.
Ofua hopes that one day, pangolins like Neal will be able to live in the wild in peace. But there’s still a long way to go.
“To better protect them, we must embark on a full-scale educational program for the entire community on the need to protect [pangolins], while encouraging the government to step up to the duty of protecting these endangered species,” Ofua said.