Over R100k raised to combat the plight of the pangolins

PAULSHOF – Pangolins under threat got a helping hand on 4 October when a special informational and fundraising event was held at the Skoobs Theatre of Books in Montecasino.

October 29, 2019

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Winner of the lucky draw diamond, Mrs C Peo (left) with Fabienne Francis.
Photo: Supplied

The African Pangolin Working Group (APWG) held a fundraising evening at Skoobs in Montecasino on 4 October in support of the most trafficked animal in the world.

Professor Raymond Jansen has been involved with pangolin conservation for the past 10 years and started the APWG with Nicci Wright in 2011. Together with the other board members, Amanda Irving, Alexis Kriel and their families, and with the assistance of Dr Karin Lourens from the Johannesburg Wildlife Hospital, they work tirelessly to conserve and protect all four African pangolin species by generating knowledge, developing partnerships and creating public awareness and education initiatives.

Dr Raymond Jansen, founder of the APWG, tells the audience about the plight of the most-poached mammal on the planet, the pangolin. *Photo: Supplied*

“The pangolins are in huge trouble. As of this year 68.7 tonnes of scales have been intercepted leaving Africa,” Jansen said during the event. “This equates to about

130 000 animals. I estimate the pangolins will be gone in under two decades, so we are trying to save as many as we can. Even if it’s only one – its one less in the trade.”

The evening was hosted by professional speaker, Michael Jackson, who is himself a great advocator of pangolin conservation. He too talked about the animal’s plight. “The four species of African pangolin are now under major threat, predominantly due to poaching for the east Asian market, who use pangolin scales for the same thing as they use rhino horn [as an aphrodisiac]. The APWG raises funds, as a not-for-profit organisation, to rehabilitate pangolins that have been captured back from poachers or are injured in some way.

Some of the items up for auction include a ceramic plate painted by up-and-coming Zimbabwean artist, Clement Mkhize and a session with animal communicator, Jenny Shone. *Photo: Supplied*

“They also track down and set up sting operations to capture poachers and have been successful in putting some behind bars.”

The fundraiser took the form of a silent auction in which guests placed bids on a va-riety of items including paintings, sculptures, holidays, books and wine. Successful bidders also stood the chance to win a diamond worth over R 12 000 which was kindly donated by Fabienne Francis Diamonds. This was eventually won by the very lucky C Peo.

The evening raised R 135 000 in cash but also raised the awareness of the plight of these secretive, scaly creatures. “We are a band of brothers and sisters. We fight a war and we will not stop,”concluded Jansen.

For further information or to donate to the African Pangolin Working Group please visit their website

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