Pangolins are the world's most trafficked mammals. Rescued individuals face severe welfare challenges, and rehabilitation is difficult for these shy, specialized animals.
Trafficked pangolins face acute welfare crises from capture stress, transport in cramped containers, dehydration, and injury. Most die before reaching markets. Rescued pangolins suffer from severe stress in rehabilitation — they refuse to eat in captivity, suffer from pneumonia, and show stereotypic behaviors indicating profound distress. Successful rehabilitation requires specialized facilities mimicking wild conditions, appropriate food sources (live termites and ants), and expert care. Prevention through anti-trafficking enforcement is more effective than rehabilitation for this uniquely difficult species.