Sunda Pangolin

The Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) is a critically endangered species native to Southeast Asia, found in countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Philippines. It faces severe threats from illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss, making it one of the most trafficked mammals in the world. Conservation efforts focus on anti-poaching, rescue and rehabilitation, habitat protection, and community engagement.

Key Projects Protecting the Sunda Pangolin

1. Save Pangolins Initiative (Global Collaboration)

  • A global coalition of NGOs and research institutions dedicated to pangolin conservation.
  • Works to coordinate international efforts to stop trafficking and improve law enforcement.
  • Supports research on pangolin ecology, rehabilitation methods, and public awareness campaigns across Southeast Asia.
  • Partners include IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group, TRAFFIC, and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).

2. Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) – Pangolin Conservation Project

  • Operates one of the leading pangolin rescue and rehabilitation centers in Asia.
  • Focuses on rescuing confiscated Sunda pangolins, providing veterinary care, and releasing them back into the wild.
  • Conducts radio-tracking studies to monitor released individuals and understand their behavior in natural habitats.
  • Collaborates with National Parks Board (NParks) and Mandai Wildlife Group to strengthen local conservation capacity.

3. TRAFFIC and WWF – Counter Wildlife Trafficking Programs

  • Joint initiatives targeting illegal pangolin trade routes across Southeast Asia.
  • Focus on intelligence-led enforcement, capacity building for customs and border officials, and public awareness.
  • Work with governments in Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia to strengthen wildlife crime penalties and improve detection of smuggling networks.

4. Save Vietnam’s Wildlife (SVW) – Cuc Phuong National Park Rescue Center

  • Operates the Cuc Phuong Pangolin Conservation Center, the largest pangolin rescue and rehabilitation facility in Vietnam.
  • Has rescued and released over 2,000 Sunda pangolins since its founding.
  • Conducts education programs for local communities and law enforcement training to combat trafficking.
  • Collaborates with Vietnam’s Forest Protection Department and international NGOs to ensure long-term survival of pangolins in the wild.

5. Freeland Foundation – Anti-Trafficking Operations

  • Focuses on law enforcement training and cross-border cooperation to dismantle pangolin trafficking networks.
  • Works in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia to improve wildlife crime investigation and prosecution success rates.
  • Supports community-based monitoring in forest areas to detect poaching activities early.

6. IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group

  • Provides scientific guidance, policy recommendations, and conservation strategies for all eight pangolin species, including the Sunda pangolin.
  • Publishes the Pangolin Conservation Action Plan, which outlines global priorities such as:
    • Strengthening protected area management.
    • Supporting pangolin research and population monitoring.
    • Promoting demand reduction campaignsto curb consumption and trade.

Supporting Organizations

  • IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group
  • TRAFFIC
  • Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
  • Save Vietnam’s Wildlife (SVW)
  • Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS)
  • WWF
  • Freeland Foundation
  • Mandai Wildlife Group

The Broader Mission
Conservation of the Sunda pangolin depends on a network of projects that combine rescue and rehabilitation, law enforcement, and public education. Programs led by Save Vietnam’s Wildlife, TRAFFIC, WRS, and IUCN are crucial in reducing illegal trade and restoring wild populations. These collaborative efforts represent the best hope for saving one of the world’s most endangered and unique mammals.