What is a pangolin?

Meet the world’s only scaled mammal: the pangolin. Often described as a "walking pinecone," these extraordinary creatures carry a suit of armor made of keratin scales. When threatened, they roll into a tight, impenetrable ball—a defense mechanism so iconic it inspired their name, which comes from the Malay word pengguling, meaning "one who rolls up."

Pangolins are highly specialized insectivores, feeding exclusively on ants and termites. To reach their prey, they use powerful, sharp claws to tear into nests and peel bark from trees. But their most remarkable feature is hidden within: a sticky tongue that can be longer than their entire body. This tongue doesn't start in the mouth, but deep in the chest cavity near the ribs. Lacking teeth, pangolins "chew" their food inside their stomachs using small stones and sand ingested during mealtime.

There are eight species of pangolin globally, split evenly between Asia and Africa. Sadly, every species is currently threatened with extinction.

African Species:

• White-bellied Pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) – Vulnerable
• Black-bellied Pangolin (Phataginus tetradactyla) – Vulnerable
• Giant Ground Pangolin (Smutsia gigantea) – Vulnerable
• Temminck’s Ground Pangolin (Smutsia temminckii) – Vulnerable

Asian Species:

• Chinese Pangolin – Critically Endangered
• Sunda Pangolin – Critically Endangered
• Indian Pangolin – Endangered
• Philippine Pangolin – Endangered

Liberia is a vital stronghold for these unique animals, serving as home to three of the four African species: the White-bellied, the Black-bellied, and the elusive Giant Pangolin. Because they reach maturity slowly—usually giving birth to just one pup at a time—protecting every individual is essential to the survival of the species.

Pangolins are officially the most trafficked mammals on Earth. Over the last decade, researchers estimate that more than one million of these creatures have been poached—a number exceeding the illegal trade of elephant tusks, rhino horns, and tiger parts combined.

The primary driver of this crisis is the demand for their scales in traditional medicine, particularly in parts of Asia. However, science has definitively debunked these medicinal claims: pangolin scales are made of keratin, the exact same protein found in human hair and fingernails. Consuming them provides no medical benefit. As Asian pangolin populations have neared extinction, the illegal market has shifted its focus toward Africa’s four native species, making West Africa a critical hotspot for trafficking.

International and local laws have tightened significantly to meet this threat:

• Global Protection: All eight species now hold Appendix I status under CITES, the highest possible level of international protection, which bans all commercial trade.
• National Progress: In November 2016, Liberia passed a landmark wildlife law making it strictly illegal to eat, keep, catch, sell, or transport protected wildlife, including pangolins.
• Recent Milestones (2024–2026): Global enforcement has reached new heights. In 2025, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service moved to list seven additional pangolin species as Endangered, and the Chinese government has recently removed several pangolin-based medicines from its official insurance coverage to further reduce demand.

Despite these wins, the battle continues. In Liberia, a long history of consuming bushmeat—from duikers to primates—remains a challenge. While the 2014 Ebola crisis briefly halted this trade, consumption resumed once the crisis passed.

Today, the Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary works on the front lines to change this narrative. By rescuing survivors of the trade and educating the next generation, we are fighting to ensure that extinction is not the final chapter for Liberia’s "walking pinecones."

To date, 65 pangolins have found refuge at our sanctuary—including 51 White-bellied and 14 Black-bellied pangolins, ranging from fragile pups to adults. We are proud to share that 44 have been successfully released back into protected forests, with more currently preparing for their return to the wild.

While we celebrate these successes, we also face the sobering reality of the trade: 21 of our residents arrived with injuries or suffered from such severe stress, dehydration, and starvation that they could not be saved. These losses only strengthen our resolve to protect every animal that comes through our gates.

Pangolins are among the most difficult and expensive animals to rehabilitate due to their highly specific diet. Because they only eat live ants and termites—and cannot be fed from a bowl—our team must accompany them into the forest for several hours every day to allow them to forage naturally.

To provide this intensive, one-on-one care, we have employed three dedicated local staff members specifically to walk and monitor our pangolins. This commitment makes the pangolin our most resource-heavy resident, but it is a vital investment in ensuring they regain the strength needed to thrive back in their natural habitat.

If you feel inspired by the story of the pangolin, there are several meaningful ways you can join our mission to protect them.

• Raise Your Voice: One of the most powerful things you can do is spread the word. Share the facts about pangolins and the threats they face with your friends, family, and social media networks. By debunking myths about their scales and highlighting their beauty, you help reduce demand and increase global support for their survival.
• Support Our Field Work: Direct donations are the lifeblood of our rehabilitation efforts. Every contribution, regardless of size, goes directly toward the high costs of specialized care—from funding our dedicated "pangolin walkers" to providing emergency veterinary treatment for rescued survivors. Your generosity helps us ensure that every animal has a fighting chance to return to the wild.
• Launch a Fundraiser: Turn your passion into action by fundraising for the sanctuary. Whether it’s a school project, a marathon, or a birthday campaign, your initiative raises both funds and vital awareness within your own community. We are always here to support your creative ideas and help you make a lasting impact on Liberia's wildlife.