Masindi, Uganda – January 27, 2025
A critical multi-agency wildlife rescue operation, Operation Attitude, led by the Uganda Wildlife Crime Unit (UWCU) in collaboration with Murchison Falls National Park (MFNP) investigators, successfully resulted in the seizure of two live pangolins—a mother and her pup—and the arrest of two suspects involved in illegal wildlife trafficking.
UWCU received intelligence that a mother ground pangolin and her cub were being offered for sale near Kiryandongo, close to Murchison Falls National Park. Traffickers had reportedly been hiding the pangolins in the bush during the day to avoid detection, bringing them out only at night when they were active.
UWCU, working with MFNP investigators, a wildlife veterinarian, and the Uganda Conservation Foundation (UCF), devised an operational plan to intercept the suspects. After a one-day delay, the traffickers, using a hired vehicle, transported the pangolins from their hiding place. UWCU officers witnessed the pangolins being forcibly dragged from their shelter, after which the suspects attempted to complete the illegal sale in Masindi.
Upon intervention, both suspects were arrested, and the pangolins were seized before they could be sold. The traffickers were demanding 15 million UGX ($3,900) for the adult pangolin and 5 million UGX ($1,300) for the cub.
Following the rescue, the pangolins were taken back to Murchison Falls National Park, where a veterinarian conducted an initial assessment. The mother pangolin was found to have severe injuries on her back legs, likely due to prolonged captivity and mishandling. To ensure proper care and rehabilitation, both pangolins were transferred to Entebbe Zoo for further treatment before their eventual release back into Murchison Falls National Park.
The two suspects have been transported to Kampala, where they will face wildlife trafficking charges.
