On this Giving Tuesday, a baby pangolin in Nigeria is in urgent need of compassion and support as she fights for her life. Pangolins are currently at risk of extinction due to the relentless efforts of poachers. Thankfully, this vulnerable baby, named Tikki, has been rescued with the help of dedicated conservation teams.
Just eight months old, Tikki was discovered in dire condition at a bushmeat market, where she was found stuffed into a filthy sack. Infested with hundreds of ticks that were sapping her strength, the situation was dire—her rescue team, the Greenfingers Wildlife Conservation Initiative (GWCI), reported this as the worst tick infestation they had ever encountered. Each of the hundreds of ticks had to be meticulously removed from her frail body by hand.
For Tikki to survive, she requires constant monitoring and specialized milk formula for several months. The cost of providing for Tikki is $100 (approximately £77) a month, a considerable sum in Nigeria where the minimum wage is less than $42 (around £32.50). GWCI continues to rescue pangolins from similar situations, many of whom are just weeks old and also in need of the critical milk formula.
While $100 may seem a daunting amount in Africa, the kindness and generosity of supporters can lead to transformational change. Every donation can contribute significantly to the survival of Tikki and her fellow pangolins, a species that is increasingly threatened by human actions. With their hard keratin scales, pangolins have few natural predators, yet they remain highly vulnerable due to poaching.
Your contribution this Giving Tuesday could help ensure that Tikki’s life—and the future of her species—is preserved. By donating and sharing this appeal, you can play a crucial role in the ongoing battle against extinction and support the essential conservation efforts being undertaken by organizations like GWCI.
In conclusion, this Giving Tuesday can be a meaningful opportunity for individuals to make a difference. Every contribution counts, and collectively, we can help save precious lives like Tikki’s while fostering hope for the survival of pangolins across Africa.
Together, we can create a brighter future for these innocent creatures, showing that compassion and action can lead to lasting change in the fight for wildlife conservation.