Little compassion or empathy has been shown in the rescue. Will they still do so if the rescued object is their child or relative? We have zero-tolerance to it!

Another pangolin “Xiaohai" rescued by the relevant department cannot die in peace. When can we draw an end to similar tragedies?

The pangolin “Xiaohai" has drawn the wide attention of people in Hainan Province and volunteers nationwide since it has been found on December 16. The Pangolin Working Group of China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) have written four official letters and make it to the Forestry Department of Hainan Province and Haikou municipal forestry bureau, and modified the letters as requested by authorities, for the participation of the rescue work. Volunteers from CBCGDF stay on the frontline every day. On December 18, CBCGDF received the notification that the rescued pangolin is allowed to be handed to CBCGDF. When all volunteers believed "Xiaohai” can be saved, the department change its tune.

On December 16, volunteers from CBCGDF were waiting at the Hainan provincial Tropical Wildlife Park and Botanic Garden (Haikou municipal Terrestrial Wildlife Rescue Center) until 11 p.m. and offered several suggestions on pangolin rescue. However, volunteers were refused to visit the pangolin or engage in the rescue work with the excuse that it was late. The reality is that for nocturnal animals like pangolins, the night is the key period to learn its physical condition.

The next morning, volunteers came to the rescue center again with the incentive of getting approval to enter and engaging in rescue but were told that they need to obtain the consent from heads and keepers.

At the same time, CBCGDF Pangolin Working Group sent official letters, Introduction Letter, Application Letter for Support Pangolin Rescue Work in Haikou and Application Letter for Participate in Pangolin Rescue, to Haikou municipal Terrestrial Wildlife Rescue Center, Hainan Tropical Wildlife Park and Botanic Garden, Haikou Municipal Forestry Bureau and the provincial forestry department.

With the assistance of volunteers, the Pangolin Working Group received scene pictures of Dec.16 and was informed that the rescued pangolin was accepted insect repellents respectively on 16 and 17. Keepers from the rescue center customized box for the pangolin, providing water and mealworms.

CBCGDF Pangolin Working Group has repeatedly suggested that it is of significance to feeding the pangolin with fresh formicaries. If the pangolin shows no interest in the formicary keepers provided, then some egg liquid could be added. Rotten woods were advised to be laid in the box. And keepers should create a quiet environment for the rescued pangolin.

Rescue officers accepted the suggestions above and promised to implement them.

At 3:26 p.m., December 17, volunteers were informed by Haikou municipal forestry administrative enforcement detachment and the Terrestrial Wildlife Rescue Center that they hoped CBCGDF to carry out rescue work as earlier as possible. The Pangolin Working Group expressed the willingness of sparing no effort in rescuing pangolin "Xiaohai” and revised the fourth official letter as requested by relevant departments.

At 1 p.m., December 18, relevant departments of Haikou contacted CBCGDF volunteers. Volunteers were allowed to enter into the park but not permitted to publish any news or information about the rescued pangolin “Xiaohai". At 4 p.m., three volunteers finally got into the rescue site and talked to two rescue administrators. After visiting the venue, the volunteers of the Pangolin Working Group offered further suggestions on pangolin rescue, such as removing the plastic carpet, gathering wood and preparing appropriate fodders like ant nests.

However, relevant departments of Haikou raised new requirements on the agreement at about 7 p.m. They asked CBCGDF to provide qualification documents.

On December 20, the departments asked to check the environment of the rescue site prepared by CBCGDF.

At 8:32 a.m., December 21, we received a video from the wildlife park. The video showed that "Xiaohai” was too weak to stand up.

At 8:38 a.m., the relevant department called for issuing the approval agreement, in which mentioned that “Xiaohai” is in good condition.

At 10:28 a.m., we were informed that “Xiaohai” was dead.

How long will it take to stop the tragedy triggered by the irresponsible rescue?

(Photo credit: CBCGDF volunteers)

Original Chinese article:

http://www.cbcgdf.org/NewsShow/4854/10775.html

By / Wang Yanqing