Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in June 2016.

A mother and baby pangolin have been rescued from the clutches of wildlife traffickers in Zambia, bringing an end to a harrowing two-week ordeal. Authorities, after an intense week-long search, successfully located the two animals on Sunday, finding them curled up together in fear. Three suspects are now in custody.

Pangolins—small, scaly mammals that primarily feed on insects—are elusive and typically only active at night. Their instinct to roll into a tight ball when threatened makes them particularly vulnerable to poachers, according to the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF).

“Judging by their condition, it’s likely they had been held captive for over two weeks,” said DSWF representative Vicky Flynn. Unfortunately, pangolins are the world’s most heavily trafficked wild mammal. The illegal trade thrives due to an insatiable demand for their meat and scales, particularly in Asian black markets.

The numbers are staggering. In the past decade alone, an estimated one million pangolins have been poached and smuggled, according to the DSWF. Between 2011 and 2013, as many as 233,980 pangolins were slaughtered for the illegal wildlife trade, and the crisis continues to escalate.

But thanks to the intervention of authorities and conservationists, these two pangolins have been spared a tragic fate. While they remain weak from their captivity, the DSWF-supported GRI Wildlife Crime Prevention Project has stepped in to aid in their recovery.

Rescue workers say the mother and baby are showing encouraging signs of progress. “They seem to be eating, which is a great sign,” said Annekim Geerdes of the GRI Wildlife Vet Program. She emphasized that proper nutrition and rest are crucial for their rehabilitation.

Because pangolins are nocturnal, their recovery process is tailored to their natural instincts. Each night, under the cover of darkness, Geerdes takes the pair outside for supervised walks, allowing them to reacclimate to their environment. This controlled exposure helps them regain confidence and prepares them for an eventual return to the wild.

“They’ll be given the chance to regain their strength and eat properly again,” Geerdes said. The ultimate goal? A full recovery and release into Zambia’s massive Kafue National Park—the largest protected wildlife reserve in the country.

This rescue offers a glimmer of hope in the ongoing battle against pangolin trafficking. While these two animals were fortunate to be saved, many others remain at risk as poachers continue to profit from the slaughter of these unique and endangered creatures. Authorities and conservation groups remain committed to fighting back, ensuring that more pangolins are spared from the brutal grip of the illegal wildlife trade.

Sources: The Dodo