大象传媒

Over a million pangolins are believed to have been trafficked over the last ten years - and the scaly mammal now faces extinction due to high demand in South East Asia for its meat and scales.

But in Vietnam, one organisation is fighting back against this relentless and illegal trade. 'Save Vietnam's Wildlife' was set up to allow the public to meet and learn about pangolins. Its founder, Thai Van Nguyen, says that so few people know about them that people often think he works with penguins and not pangolins.

The group also conducts undercover work, rescuing hundreds of animals and helping with the arrest of smugglers.

Thai Van Nguyen has now been awarded the prestigious Goldman environmental prize of 2021 in recognition of his work.

"The pangolin is a so lovely animal and we need to live together with them. It's a beautiful creature."

(Photo: The head keeper for Save Vietnam's Wildlife holding a rescued pangolin. Credit: AFP)