Pangolin conservation and rescue programs face extraordinary challenges rehabilitating trafficked animals, with survival rates from rescue to successful wild release remaining low but improving.
Pangolins rescued from trafficking suffer extreme welfare harm from capture stress, dehydration, transportation trauma, and the physical injuries of illegal handling. Even with the best rehabilitation care, many do not survive the physiological consequences of trafficking. Improving rehabilitation success rates requires substantial investment in specialized facilities, live invertebrate food supply, and understanding of pangolin stress physiology. Simultaneously, preventing trafficking through enforcement and demand reduction reduces the number of animals requiring rescue.