Kitgum, Uganda – January 25, 2025
A multi-agency operation led by the Uganda Wildlife Crime Unit (UWCU) resulted in the rescue of a live pangolin and the arrest of two wildlife traffickers. The operation, code-named Operation Appendix, was launched following intelligence reports that a ground pangolin was being offered for sale in the Kitgum area.
The suspects, cautious about raising suspicions, insisted on conducting the sale away from Kitgum. They demanded 10 million Ugandan Shillings (UGX) for the endangered animal and went to great lengths to verify the presence of the money before proceeding. The traffickers even searched the UWCU vehicle, suspecting they were dealing with law enforcement officers. Once convinced the sale was legitimate, they attempted to finalize the transaction—only to be swiftly arrested by UWCU operatives.
Investigations revealed that the pangolin had been smuggled into Uganda from South Sudan. The broker, who had been involved in previous live pangolin trafficking cases, refused to introduce officers to the South Sudanese supplier, likely to conceal the full extent of the illicit profits.
Upon its rescue, the pangolin was found with severe wounds on its back legs, injuries sustained from restraints used by the traffickers. It was initially treated by local veterinarians before being transported to Murchison Falls, where veterinary teams from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and Uganda Conservation Foundation (UCF) provided further medical care. The animal was later released back into the wild.
The two suspects were transported to Kampala, where they will face charges related to wildlife trafficking.
