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Pangolin Rescue Mission: URGENT ACTION AND FLIGHT to Save a Life

Updated: Jul 17


On July 10th, 2025, a pangolin sting operation took place at the border in Musina, South Africa. The operation focused on poachers suspected of smuggling a pangolin from Zimbabwe. Intelligence gathered indicated that the pangolin was severely compromised and needed immediate medical attention. With the animal's life at risk, swift action was required to ensure its survival.


Thanks to the quick response of the conservation team at Umoya Khulula Wildlife Centre, The Bateleurs, and pilot Lloyd Rogers (who answered this urgent call for aerial assistance) who was called in to carry out this urgent rescue mission. He was tasked with collecting the compromised pangolin in Musina and flying it to Provet Wildlife Services & Animal Hospital in Hoedspruit, a facility renowned for its specialised care for wildlife.


Upon arrival in Musina, the pangolin was carefully secured and prepared for flight. With expert precision, pilot Lloyd Rogers flew the pangolin on a direct flight to Hoedspruit, where the medical team at Provet was ready to provide the necessary care.


This rescue mission highlights the incredible teamwork required in wildlife conservation efforts. The combined efforts of individuals like Emma De Jager from Umoya Khulula Wildlife Centre, Dr. Debbie English from Provet, and Bats pilot Lloyd Rogers demonstrate what can be achieved when passion and expertise come together for a common cause.


The pangolin was met by a team of veterinarians at Provet, where it began receiving urgent care and treatment. While this mission was just one in many, it serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges wildlife faces due to poaching and illegal trade.


A special thank you goes to:


Their commitment to protecting wildlife is making a difference, one life at a time.

This rescue mission is just another step in the ongoing fight to protect one of the world’s most trafficked and endangered species. Through continued collaboration, rapid response, and expert care, we can ensure a safer future for pangolins and other wildlife at risk.


Pilot Report: Lloyd Rogers,  C210

We took off from Tzaneen at 08:30 in the morning on the 10 July, enroute to Musina to meet up with other law enforcement agents, members of the Police as well as anti-poaching units. A quick briefing was held to get everyone “up to speed” on what the plan was. The “meeting” point of the traffickers to hand over the Pangolin to the “buyer” was in the parking lot of a Musina shopping mall.


It didn’t take long for everything to happen, before we knew it. The attack dogs and anti-poaching units were onto the 2 suspects that were in possession of the Pangolin (who we named Plum), with the 2 arrests made swiftly. Once the Pangolin had been booked in and out of police custody we then set off for Hoedspruit, taking the Plum (Pangolin) to Provet Wildlife Services & Animal Hospital to be seen by Dr Debbie English. An initial examination was done; x-rays, blood samples, microchip given, supplements given through a tube into the animals stomach, etc.


All in all, the rescue mission had a very good outcome for the greater good of the Plum, the most trafficked animal in the world! As the Bateleurs pilot who flew this “mission”, I am very appreciative of having been part of this “sting”, especially with such a successful outcome. Being able to help in my way is very rewarding. 

 

Conservationist Report: Emma De Jager | Co Owner & Director, Umoya Khulula Wildlife Centre

"On the 10th of July we were contacted about a poached Pangolin needing retrieving from the poachers. We immediately contacted The Bateleurs to see if they could get us to the sting operation as fast as possible so we could retrieve the Pangolin and get her, Plum, to the correct medical facility, Provet Wildlife Services & Animal Hospital ,in the shortest amount of time.

The sting operation was in Musina which is a 5 hours drive for us, so flying was important to get Plum medical attention.


The Bateleur's came back to us straight away and pilot Lloyd Rogers volunteered to fly us up. We retrieved Plum, who was a small 6.8kg female in very bad condition. We immediately flew her to Provet based in Hoedspruit where she received life saving treatment. She is now undergoing ICU and will come to rehabilitation later this week. Once she is back in full health we will be able to release her back to the wild. With the aid of The Bateleurs we saved Plums life."





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