TRAFFIC, a leading organization dedicated to wildlife conservation, has released a heartwarming animated story in honor of World Pangolin Day (Saturday 17 February). The animation, entitled “The Astounding Secret Pangolin,” is based on the popular picture book of the same name by UK-based illustrator Jeanette Ward and author and book designer Mary Hays.
The story follows the journey of a pangolin, a unique and endangered mammal, as it navigates the dangers of being hunted and trafficked for its valuable scales. Pangolins are believed to be the most trafficked mammal in the world, with several species facing near extinction due to the demand for their scales, which are falsely believed to have medicinal properties.
The four-minute animation, created by Malaysia-based animator Faril Izzadi Mohd Noor, is geared towards young students and is accompanied by educational materials and activities designed to raise awareness about the threats faced by pangolins. The lessons and factsheet for teachers aim to engage young audiences in countries where pangolins are found or consumed, and to educate them about the issue of poaching and illegal trade.
Mary Hays, the author of the picture book, was inspired to write the story after learning about the plight of pangolins. She approached Jeanette Ward to illustrate the book, and together they donated the use of the book’s words and images to TRAFFIC. The duo worked closely with TRAFFIC’s Southeast Asia communications team to develop the animation and educational materials, which highlight the unique characteristics and fight for survival of pangolins.
Eleanor Hays narrates the video, taking viewers on a journey through the pangolin’s habitat and the dangers it faces from poachers. The animation features a mother pangolin and her pup, based on the Sunda Pangolin Manis javanica, one of the eight recognized species of pangolin found in Southeast Asia. This region is not only a major source and consumer of Asian pangolin species, but also a destination and transit point for trafficked African pangolin species.
Despite being prohibited from commercial international trade since 2019, pangolins continue to be trafficked in alarming numbers by criminal networks. From 2014 to 2023, over 2,300 pangolin trafficking seizures were recorded across Asia, resulting in the confiscation of 419 tonnes of pangolin parts and the seizure of almost 48,500 whole individuals and 319 tonnes of pangolin scales.
Kanitha Krishnasamy, Director of TRAFFIC in Southeast Asia, expressed her gratitude to Hays, Ward, and Mohd Noor for their masterful work in creating the stunning visuals and captivating storytelling of “The Astounding Secret Pangolin.” She hopes that the animation will spark curiosity and interest in conservation among young minds and educators.
The animation and educational materials are distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/ and are available for use by schools and educators around the world. By sharing this story, TRAFFIC hopes to raise awareness about the plight of pangolins and inspire the next generation to take action to protect these remarkable creatures.
