Pangolert is the first and only service for recording pangolin sightings using WhatsApp, changing the way real-time wildlife sightings are tracked and enhancing conservation.

Pangolins are elusive and intriguing creatures that are a sight to behold for safari guides and guests alike. But sightings of pangolins are rare, not the least because they face an uncertain future.

Pangolin populations are rapidly declining worldwide due to threats including habitat loss, electric fences, and illegal trafficking.

Very little data is available on their population numbers and distribution, making it impossible to coordinate conservation efforts to save them.

“Nobody knows how many pangolins are left in the wild or where they are located. We’ve created a way to gather that sensitive information without the risk of it getting into the wrong hands,” says Pangolin.Africa Founder Toby Jermyn.

That’s why Pangolin.Africa has developed Pangolert, the first and only place to record pangolin sightings safely and securely using WhatsApp.

Tracking pangolins with Pangolert

How will we know when pangolins are trafficked into extinction? Or if our conservation efforts have boosted their populations? That’s where Pangolert comes in.

“Our goal is to support African conservation efforts by collecting population data based on sightings from anyone who comes in contact with a pangolin, be that a ranger, a safari tourist, law enforcement or conservation researcher,” Jermyn says.

Users can report a pangolin sighting by simply sending a photo of the animal along with its location as a message to the Pangolert number: +27 (0)72 726 4654.

The information is received and stored offline for security purposes, and only accessible to those who go through a strict vetting process by Pangolin.Africa.

Thanks to WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption features, the message can’t be accessed by anyone else. This, in addition to the fact that WhatsApp is used by over 200 million Africans, makes it the perfect platform for the service.

Pangolins in peril

Pangolert also serves as an emergency hotline for anonymously reporting pangolins in peril, whether they are stuck in a snare, being abused, or in the process of being trafficked. In this case, users can call the Pangolert number directly. A team is on standby 24/7 to react accordingly through a network of vets, NGOS and law enforcement officials across central and southern Africa.

“In this way, Pangolert is a quick and easy way to centralise reports of pangolins in peril so that we can better support law enforcement efforts,” explains Jermyn.

This aspect of Pangolert is supported by a partnership with South African anti-poaching ranger, Glen Thompson from Transfrontier Africa. Thompson’s experience includes crime scene investigation and wildlife recovery, helping him build a valuable relationship with local law enforcement agencies.

In addition, he helps keep the national database up to date with trafficking crimes and assists in prosecutions. “I am passionate about Pangolert and its potential to help bring about an end to the illegal wildlife trade in South Africa and through the whole of Africa,” says Thompson.

Most trafficked mammal

Challenges to gathering population and distribution data on pangolins is chalked up to their unique behaviours and physical characteristics – some of the very reasons we love these playful creatures.

Pangolins are generally nocturnal, so they’re often cloaked in the cover of night. They are shy creatures, and most species live in burrows, hidden underground from prying eyes.

But pangolins are the only mammals in the world that are wholly covered in scales. Made of keratin, the same material found in human fingernails, these scales are believed to have special medicinal properties that make them highly valuable in the illegal trade. So much so that pangolins are one of the world’s most trafficked mammals.

By using Pangolert to understand where pangolins are found and how their populations are faring, we can strengthen conservation measures that protect pangolins from extinction.

How you can help

Everyone can contribute to pangolin conservation by supporting conservation organisations, spreading awareness, and advocating for stronger laws to combat illegal trafficking.

If you are travelling to Africa on safari, save the Pangolert number for use in case you’re lucky enough to see a pangolin in the wild. If you want to help support Pangolin.Africa, you can donate to our NGO and help strengthen our projects to protect pangolins. Together we can save a species!