At the African Pangolin Working Group we have some inkling of the love that our followers have for pangolins because of comments on social media and support for our work. Every now and then we get an insight into this love that makes us stop and breathe until our hearts stop hurting.

Recently we received a series of directed donations in memory of Melinda de Beer, whose last wish was to help pangolins.

Her husband, Andre sent us this tribute to his wife:

“A teacher by profession, she always cared about animals and especially the vulnerable. We live in Pretoria, and she assisted a local animal welfare group on hundreds of occasions raising bird chicks that were found abandoned or injured. Some of their descendants probably still live in our garden!

The Kruger Park was her favourite place, and her self-taught knowledge of wildlife was amazing. We were fortunate to visit Kruger on numerous occasions during her last months with us.

I think Melinda started following the work you do some months prior to her passing. This must have made a huge impression on her as she was very clear that a collection be taken at her celebration of life, with your organisation as the beneficiary.”

Melinda’s memorial donations are funding telemetry for Kajima, a young male pangolin who is on the cusp of leaving his monitored release programme to venture out and establish his own territory. This gift will allow us to keep tabs on him for the next stage in his journey to becoming a completely independent pangolin living his best pangolin life.

Our heartfelt gratitude to Melinda’s friends and family who so generously honoured her wishes. Our hearts are full.