Rescuers Find The Tiniest Baby Pangolin They've Ever Seen

"Please send her your love and strength."

A tiny baby pangolin's life was in danger - even before she was old enough to open her eyes.

Infant pangolin saved in Cambodia
Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center

This week, the baby was brought to Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center (PTWRC) in Cambodia by someone who found her in Phnom Penh, the country's capital, so she could get help.

Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center

No one knows for sure how such a tiny baby pangolin became separated from her mom, but her story certainly isn't unusual, considering pangolins are the most trafficked mammal on the planet.

Native to parts of Africa and Asia, the shy, nocturnal animals are critically endangered because of incessant demand in the Asia for their meat, considered a delicacy, and scales, believed to have medicinal properties. Roughly every five minutes, a wild pangolin is captured to be shipped, sold and killed in East Asia.

Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center

In all likelihood, this is why this little pangolin was found without her mom. Normally, in the wild, she would be riding around on her mom's back for her first few months.

"We have never had to hand-raise a baby pangolin, and few places have raised one so young," PTWRC wrote.

Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center

After one night at the rescue center, the baby opened her eyes for the first time. Luckily, the place she found herself in was a safe one.

"She is drinking well and is already a very strong climber," PTWRC wrote. "Please send her your love and strength."

Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center

To help this baby pangolin grow up strong, you can donate to the rescue center and mention "baby pangolin" in the comments.

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