South Africa, 22 April 2025 – With the launch of the much-anticipated Netflix documentary Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey on April 21 – directed by Academy Award winner Pippa Ehrlich (My Octopus Teacher) – global awareness of one of the world’s most trafficked and endangered animals is set to soar.
Pangolin.Africa, a leading non-profit organisation dedicated solely to protecting African pangolins, is hard at work turning enhanced awareness into action.
“We know from experience that awareness is the first step. But it must be followed by urgent, informed action,” says Toby Jermyn, Founder of Pangolin.Africa. “Kulu’s story will open hearts – we’re here to help people take the next steps to help save pangolins in real life.”
Pangolin.Africa is inviting the public to become certified Pangolin Guardians through their free, online, two-part course suitable for all ages and available in 12 different languages. It takes just 15 minutes to complete and arms participants with fascinating facts and critical best practices, including:
- Why pangolins are under such a serious threat
- What makes them so unique (and challenging to protect)
- What to do (and what not to do) if you’re fortunate enough to spot one in the wild
“Pangolins are incredibly fragile, solitary creatures with particular diets and environmental needs – they are not pets, mascots, or photo ops. How we interact with them directly influences their survival,” Jermyn explains.
“While Kulu’s story includes important rehabilitation work, most encounters should involve no handling. Even well-meaning guides and guests can cause stress or harm by getting too close.”
The goal of the course is to shift perceptions and provide much-needed practical guidance. It aims to spread awareness, foster respect, and empower everyone, from community members to tourists, to become informed stewards of this critically endangered animal.
In addition to the Pangolin Guardian course, Pangolin.Africa has launched Pangolert, an innovative, dedicated WhatsApp number (+27 72 726 4654) that allows anyone to report sightings or emergencies involving pangolins.
This simple step is helping build Africa’s first verified database of wild pangolin sightings, providing researchers with groundbreaking insight into where these elusive animals roam, crucial data needed to guide protection efforts, identify habitats, and monitor threats across the continent.
How it works:
- Save the Pangolert number (+27 72 726 4654) to your phone’s contacts
- If you see a pangolin, take a photo (if you can) and send it via WhatsApp to the Pangolert number
- Tap the “Location” icon in WhatsApp and share your exact location
- No signal? The report will be submitted as soon as you’re back online
In an emergency (such as spotting a pangolin in captivity or being trafficked), users are urged to call the number directly for immediate action.
“Documentaries touch us deeply, but real conservation is ongoing, daily work,” says Jermyn. “If you want to help, start by becoming a Pangolin Guardian and using Pangolert. Every photo, reported sighting, and educated mind brings us one step closer to saving this extraordinary species.”
Visit Pangolin.Africa to take the free course and become a Pangolin Guardian today.
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For more information, contact Laura Rawden laura@pangolin.africa or visit www.pangolin.africa / Media Kit
Pangolin.Africa
Pangolin.Africa is a registered non-profit organisation (Reg. No. 2018/380634/08) dedicated to the survival of the most highly trafficked wildlife species on Earth – the African pangolin. With one pangolin poached from the wild every five minutes, the situation facing the African pangolin has reached a tipping point. Through Pangolin.Africa’s three-pronged approach of publicity, participation, and protection, its projects enable global partners in tourism, conservation, and business to contribute to research, protection, and rehabilitation of this vulnerable species.
