A remarkable July encounter — the elusive Pangolin

Among all the creatures that roam the African wilderness, few are as mysterious and rarely seen as the pangolin. Covered in overlapping scales and equipped with a powerful sense of smell, this shy, nocturnal animal is the world’s only truly scaly mammal and one of the most elusive. Despite being well adapted to the bush, pangolins are masters of concealment, moving quietly and mostly under the cover of night. For most guides and safari-goers, even a single sighting in a year is considered incredibly lucky. Having last seen a pangolin in December last year, this sighting at the start of July marked our first pangolin encounter of the year, making the experience even more special.

It was during a quiet afternoon drive when we spotted a shape moving steadily in the open grassland. At first glance, we could hardly believe our eyes, a pangolin, fully out in the open. What made this sighting even more extraordinary was the animal’s behaviour. Unlike previous encounters, where pangolins would instinctively coil up in a tight ball at the slightest disturbance, this one was remarkably relaxed. It paid little attention to our vehicle and continued with its slow, deliberate movements, completely at ease.

We watched, and were mesmerized, as it foraged in the undergrowth. Using its strong foreclaws, it dug into the soft soil, pausing occasionally to flick its long, sticky tongue into ant nests. From time to time, it shifted position, ambling unhurriedly to a new patch of ground in search of food. The soft rustle of leaves and the gentle tapping of its claws were the only sounds as it moved between termite mounds. This behaviour allowed us a longer and more detailed observation than we ever expected, a rare privilege in these parts.

Pangolins are solitary and secretive, and most sightings last just a few seconds before the animal disappears or curls up in defence. But on this occasion, we were able to follow it discreetly for quite some time, witnessing natural behaviour in a completely unbothered animal. For many in the vehicle, it was their first ever pangolin sighting and for those who had seen one before, this was by far the most intimate and rewarding.

Moments like these remind us why the wild is endlessly fascinating. Even seasoned guides who spend every day in the field may go years without such a close encounter. This sighting, in its quiet simplicity, was a highlight of my career.