Quiet, solitary and nocturnal, the pangolin has few pure enemies, however researchers consider it’s the most trafficked mammal on the earth. The powerful scales overlaying its physique are wanted to be used in Chinese language medication, within the inaccurate perception that they’ve therapeutic properties.

The animal has additionally been of curiosity to researchers in the course of the coronavirus pandemic. Associated viruses have been present in trafficked pangolins, although there’s continued uncertainty round early theories that pangolins have been concerned within the transmission of the virus from animals to people.

After South African police seized a pangolin from suspected smugglers, BBC Africa correspondent Andrew Harding witnessed how vets tried to save lots of the animal’s life.