Pangolin.Africa is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation of the most highly trafficked wildlife species on the continent – the African Pangolin.
Through our three-pronged approach of Publicity, Participation and Protection, we are working with partners in the tourism, conservation and corporate fields to increase general awareness of the species; contribute towards much-needed research; and help combat the illegal wildlife trade that is threatening the survival of this species.
A firestorm of poaching and illegal trade is raging around the African pangolin. Conservationists estimate that one pangolin is poached from the wild every five minutes due to the huge demand from the African and Asian traditional medicine markets. These shy, defenceless animals are being pushed to the edge of extinction, yet this curious little creature is one of the most elusive on the planet. Many people have never heard of it, very few have seen it in the wild and it does not survive in captivity.
About the film
We have partnered with award-winning South African filmmakers Bruce Young and Johan Vermeulen to produce a powerful, awareness raising film about the critical situation facing the African pangolin.
From the co-director of Blood Lions, this powerful documentary is the story of two men on a mission to get all four species of African pangolin on camera for the very first time. As they travel the continent to learn more about those caring for and studying pangolins they are captivated by these strange, secretive creatures and document the race to save them from being poached to extinction.
The film will premiere on Endangered Species Day, Friday 17 May, and will be freely available online for worldwide viewing from Saturday 18 May on YouTube.
Our goal is to make Eye of the Pangolin the most widely watched wildlife documentary ever, that will be seen by millions of people around the world via free online platforms, through schools and other educational establishments, at wildlife film festivals, and at screenings supported other conservation organisations everywhere. By making the film open source we can reach the greatest possible number of viewers because we believe that if people come to know the African pangolin they will care enough to somehow help put a stop to the horrific trade.
To ensure the greatest possible impact we are launching an intensive screening campaign for Eye of the Pangolin, taking the film to rural schools in high poaching areas across the continent where poaching may be a livelihood for communities or traditional cultural practice.
