The Pangolin Men: Saving the World’s Most Trafficked Mammal

by  Barcroft Animals

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzUXS70ebQo

Incredible portraits of a group of men who dedicate their lives to the most trafficked mammal in the world – the pangolin – have been released today as part of a campaign to raise awareness and funds for the protection of the species.

Committed minders from the The Tikki Hywood Trust in Zimbabwe work hard to protect the species with a one-on-one care programme.

The charity workers are assigned with one pangolin each, where they spend 24 hours a day rehabilitating and walking the majestic mammals so that they can forage naturally.

Surprising to most, pangolins are one of the world’s most endangered species, with over one million of them killed every year for their scales, meat and blood.

Photographer Adrian Steirn travelled to Zimbabwe to capture the men’s complete commitment to the cause they serve and bring much needed awareness to the pangolin.