MAE HONG SON — 25 April 2026, Wildlife officers have rescued a severely injured pangolin from a wildfire-hit area in northern Thailand, highlighting the growing toll of forest fires on vulnerable species.
Officials said the female Sunda pangolin was found by a firefighting team from Tham Pla–Namtok Pha Suea National Park while tackling blazes west of Wat Pa Tham Wua.
The animal was discovered weak and struggling for breath, sheltering in a hollow to escape the flames after becoming trapped by the fire. Initial checks showed serious injuries, including damaged and deformed scales along its back and a partially severed tail, believed to have resulted from both human activity and the wildfire.
The pangolin was transported to Pang Tong Wildlife Breeding Station, where veterinarians began urgent treatment, cleaning wounds to prevent infection and monitoring for shock and stress. Officials said efforts are being made to replicate a natural environment during recovery, with plans to release the animal back into the wild once it is fit.
Chaiyacharn Sriyong, director of a regional protected areas office, said wildfires were not only destroying forests but also killing wildlife indirectly, particularly slow-moving species like pangolins that cannot escape in time.
Authorities urged the public to refrain from burning forests, warning that a single act could cost wildlife their lives. They also encouraged people to report injured animals or suspected illegal burning via a national park hotline.
