Pangolins play a crucial role in both Asian and African habitats; between slurping up massive amounts of ants and termites and burrowing to create their homes, they are an asset to their ecosystems.
“By their behaviour of excavating burrows, they actually affect the soil processes, including turning over organic matter and aerating the soil,” says Neil Greenwood, IFAW’s director of wildlife rescue. “They’re essentially little gardeners.”