
A pangolin rescued from poachers looks over his caregiver’s shoulder at a ranch owned by the Tikki Hywood Trust in Zimbabwe, where he’s being trained to return to the wild.
Photograph by Brent Stirton, Getty/National Geographic
A pangolin mother and baby are out for a stroll. By riding high, the juvenile learns important behaviours from its mother, such as how to forage for ants.
Photograph by Elyane and Cedric Jacquet
Veterinarian Lam Kim Hai treats a pangolin that was caught in a poacher’s snare and taken in by Save Vietnam’s Wildlife, a rescue and rehabilitation centre.
Photograph by Brent Stirton, Getty/National Geographic
A pangolin at a Tikki Hywood Trust property waves his tail in the air as he nose dives for ants.
Photograph by Brent Stirton, Getty/National Geographic
This two-day-old pangolin was born at Save Vietnam's Wildlife. While an adult pangolin’s scales can withstand the bite of a lion, a newborn’s scales are soft.
Photograph by Brent Stirton, Getty/National Geographic
Tamuda begs for attention from his caregiver, who's helping him dig for ants. The caregiver is not named for his safety, to help prevent him being targeted by traffickers who want access to the rescued pangolins.
Photograph by Brent Stirton, Getty/National Geographic
A pangolin will curl up in a ball when it feels threatened.
Photograph by Elyane and Cedric Jacquet
These pangolins, rescued by Save Vietnam’s Wildlife, have a final meal before being released back into the wild.
Photograph by Brent Stirton, Getty/National Geographic
A pangolin climbs up a mound of dirt, trying to figure out if it’s full of ants.
Photograph by Brent Stirton, Getty/National Geographic
A pangolin usually has just one baby at a time. If the mother feels threatened, she can curl up with the baby tucked inside.
Photograph by Elyane and Cedric Jacquet
A newly rescued pangolin at Save Vietnam’s Wildlife receives care from veterinary manager Jessica Jimerson.
Photograph by Brent Stirton, Getty/National Geographic
A young pangolin looks in the dirt for ants. Pangolins slurp up their prey with tongues that can be as long as their bodies.
Photograph by Elyane and Cedric Jacquet