South Africa, April 22, 2025 – The long-awaited Netflix documentary Pangolin: Release of Kulu's Journey on April 21 – Academy Award Winner Pippa Ehrlich (My Octopus Teacher) – Global awareness of one of the world's most trafficked and constant animals is growing.
Pangolin.Africa, a leading nonprofit dedicated solely to protecting pangolins in Africa, is struggling to turn awareness into action.
“We know from experience that awareness is the first step, but that requires urgent, informed action to follow,” says Toby Jermyn, founder of Pangolin.africa. “The Kul's story will open up. We are here to help people take the next step to save Pangolin in real life.”
Pangolin.africa invites the public to become certified Pangolin Guardians through a free, two-part course online suitable for all ages. It takes just 15 minutes to complete, including fascinating facts and important best practices.
Why Pangolins are under such serious threats
“Pangolins are highly vulnerable, lonely creatures with specific diet and environmental needs. They are not pets, mascots, or photo shoots. How they interact with them directly affect their survival,” explains Jermin.
“Kulu's story involves important rehabilitation work, but most encounters have to be dealt with. Even a well-meaning guide can cause stress and harm by getting too close.”
The goal of this course is to shift awareness and provide much-needed practical guidance. It aims to spread awareness, encourage respect, empower everyone, and become an informed steward of this critically endangered animal, from community members to tourists.
In addition to the Pangolin Guardian course, Pangolin.africa has launched Pangolert, an innovative and dedicated WhatsApp number (+27 72 726 4654) that allows you to report sightings and emergencies including pangolins.
This simple step will help build a database of wild pangolin sightings in Africa that was first verified in Africa, providing researchers with groundbreaking insights into the critical data needed to roam where these elusive animals roam, guide conservation efforts, identify habitats, and monitor threats across the continent.
How it works:
Save your Pangolert number (+27 72 726 4654) to your mobile contacts. If you see the pangolin, do you want to take a photo and send it to whatsapp (hopefully) and tap on the “location” icon on whatsapp and share it without a signal for the exact location? Reports will be submitted as soon as they return online
In emergencies (such as finding a prisoner of war pangolin or being trafficked), users are encouraged to call the number directly for immediate action.
“The documentary touches us deeply, but true conservation is ongoing and daily work,” Jermin says. “If you want to help, start by becoming the guardian of the pangolin and using the pangolat. All the photographs, reports and educated minds are one step closer to saving this extraordinary species.”
Visit Pangolin.africa to take free courses and become a Pangolin Guardian today.
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For more information, contact Laura Rawden (Email Protection) or visit us.
www.pangolin.africa / Media Kit
Pangolin.africa
Pangolin.africa is a registered nonprofit organization (Reg. No. 2018/380634/08) dedicated to the survival of pangolins in Africa, the most highly trafficked wildlife species on the planet. The situation facing African pangolins has reached a turning point as one pangolin was poached from the wild every five minutes. Through Africa's three broad approaches: advertising, participation and conservation, the project will enable global partners in tourism, conservation and business to contribute to the research, conservation and rehabilitation of this vulnerable species.
