Forest Rangers Rescue Rare Pangolin from Wildfires in Northern Thailand

MAE HONG SON– Forest rangers in Northern Thailand discovered a critically injured female pangolin on Saturday morning, April 25, 2026, as devastating wildfires continue to ravage the ecosystem of the Tham Pla–Nam Tok Pha Suea National Park.

The rescue took place at approximately 9:15 AM near the Wat Pa Tham Wua forest temple, where firefighting crews found the animal trapped by a ring of fire. The pangolin, suffering from cracked scales and a severed tail, serves as a grim reminder of the escalating toll that seasonal forest fires are taking on Thailand’s protected wildlife.

A Desperate Escape in Tham Pla–Nam Tok Pha Suea

Mr. Chaichan Sriyong, Director of the Protected Areas Regional Office 16 (Mae Sariang), confirmed the rescue after his team spotted the pangolin—also known locally as a “lin”—hiding in the hollow of a tree to escape the intense heat. The animal was found exhausted and panting heavily.

Preliminary examinations by veterinary experts revealed a heartbreaking scene:

Physical Trauma: The scales along the middle of the pangolin’s back were cracked and deformed due to extreme heat exposure.
Human Interference: The animal’s tail appeared to have been cut by a sharp object, suggesting it had survived a previous encounter with poachers before being caught in the blaze.
Severe Exhaustion: The female pangolin was unable to flee further, as the fire had surrounded her position.

The Indirect Murder of Slow-Moving Wildlife

The situation in Mae Hong Son has reached a critical point. Wildfires have been burning persistently across the province for several months, driven by seasonal droughts and illegal agricultural burning. While larger animals can often outrun the flames, slow-moving species like pangolins and tortoises are frequently trapped.

“Wildfires are more than just a loss of trees; they are the indirect murder of our wildlife,” Mr. Chaichan stated in a report by MGR Online. He noted that rangers find dead or injured animals almost daily. Many creatures, unable to navigate the smoke and heat, succumb to the fires before help can arrive.

Why Pangolins are at Risk

Pangolins are among the most trafficked mammals in the world and are listed as critically endangered. Their natural defense mechanism—rolling into a tight ball—is effective against predators but fatal when facing a forest fire. Instead of fleeing, they stay in place, leading to the severe burns and scale damage seen in this latest rescue.

To improve the survival rates of protected species, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has implemented several measures:

Increased Patrols: Firefighting units are now trained to scan for wildlife while conducting containment operations.
Emergency Rehabilitation: Injured animals are immediately sent to specialized wildlife clinics for treatment of burns and smoke inhalation.
Community Awareness: Authorities are pleading with residents to stop forest clearing, which often sparks these uncontrollable blazes.

The rescued female pangolin is currently under close supervision. Given the severity of her injuries—particularly the cracked scales which protect her from infection—her recovery is expected to be long. Conservationists emphasize that every single life saved is vital for a species already teetering on the edge of extinction.

As the firefighting efforts continue in Northern Thailand, officials remind the public that the destruction of forest habitats carries a heavy price for the country’s biodiversity. The survival of this “scaly anteater” is a small victory in what has become a long and difficult fire season.