Born Free USA promotes Compassionate Conservation to enhance the survival of threatened species in the wild and protect natural habitats. Compassionate conservation means respecting the needs of individual animals while also looking at the bigger conservation picture. We believe that the protection of every individual animal counts!
This is why we were delighted to lend our support to a young pangolin in need this week. Destined to be slaughtered for his scales, this lucky pangolin was rescued just in time by wildlife officers in Benin and found by the team that Born Free USA has spent several years training, which has now become a world-class enforcement unit that is cracking down on illegal trafficking of wildlife.
“Today was a proud moment for our team. These officers regularly risk their lives to save threatened wild animals and plants, seeking no acknowledgement or reward. Yet today, their true reward was seeing animals that they have rescued being released. This has encouraged us to redouble our efforts to crack down on wildlife crime and ensure threatened wildlife stays where it belongs, in the wild.”
– Ulysse Korogone, CITES Focal Point and Team Leader of Benin’s Wildlife Law Enforcement, who led the rescue operation.
The rescued pangolin was quickly taken for health checks and provided emergency veterinary care. On Friday, he was given the all-clear for release, and taken to Lama Protected Forest, one of the last remaining large areas of dense semi-deciduous forest in southern Benin. At the center of this forest, there is an exceptionally rich ecological oasis, offering a natural refuge for newly released wild species, such as the pangolin.
The Pangolin Was Not the Only Animal Released Back into the Wild
The pangolin was not the only animal being released on Friday! Born Free USA’s support meant that 150 freshwater turtles, 500 pythons, and 200 emperor scorpions could also be released at the same time as the pangolin. Thanks to our generous donors, 851 animals are now living wild and free lives once more. This is truly compassionate conservation in action!
Born Free USA Congratulates the Team in Benin that Made this Rescue and Release Possible
Born Free USA has been supporting West African countries since 2018 to enhance their capacity to combat wildlife crime. We have provided training to judges, prosecutors, customs, police, and forestry officers from all 15 West African countries, and we have supported the development of National Wildlife Crime Strategies and Wildlife Law Enforcement Task Forces across the region.
Born Fee USA would like to sincerely congratulate the Benin Wildlife Law Enforcement Task Force, the General Directorate of Water, Forests, and Hunting (DGEFC), the National Timber Company of Benin (SONAB), and Benin’s CITES Focal Point, as well as local non-governmental organizations engaged in biodiversity conservation and the fight against wildlife crime.
Together, we can protect imperiled species and ensure a bright future for Africa’s wildlife.
Thank you for making a difference one rescued animal at a time!
Keep Wildlife in the Wild,
Alice
Dear Reader,
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Thank You,
The Born Free USA Team
Dear Reader,