Little Pangolin Having The Time Of Its Life While Taking A Mud Bath Is The Adorable Content We Need Right Now
Stevie the pangolin has a talent for turning an ordinary mud puddle into the best part of the day. The young rescue spends his time digging, exploring, and rolling around with the kind of enthusiasm that makes every new clip of him hard to scroll past.
After being taken from poachers as a newborn in Pretoria, South Africa, Stevie arrived underweight and unwell, then slowly recovered with help from the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital. Now he is healthy, active, and learning how to be a pangolin again, one muddy adventure at a time.
His favorite pastime is simple, messy, and completely adorable, and it says a lot about how far he has come. Read on.
Meet Stevie the pangolin
Stevie was taught natural pangolin behavior by the medical personnel because he had been isolated from his mother at such an early age. However, Stevie didn't need any help learning how to take a mud bath, which is one of his favorite pastimes.
“As soon as he finds a puddle of water, he usually rolls in it,” Kempen said. “This seems to cool him down substantially, which enables him to feed for longer and be more comfortable as he doesn't get too hot.”
A muddy bath is apparently Stevie's idea of a perfect afternoon.
And watch him doing his favorite thing in the whole world - taking a mud bath:
Stevie had been separated from his family at a young age
“Pangolins are known for mud/fresh dung baths,” Kempen added. “We believe this is not only to cool them down but also to potentially offer protection against parasites.”
Stevie is doing so well that he will be released back into the wild on a private reserve in the near future.
And it reminds us of the man who saved Biscuits from the scorching sidewalk, and now they’re inseparable.
And the friendly staff at the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital is teaching him about natural pangolin behavior
Stevie belongs to an endangered species and needs all the help he can get to learn how to survive in the wilderness
We have no doubt he will do fine
“For the first few weeks, he will be monitored carefully and will be taken out on daily walks as he acclimatizes to his new surroundings and food sources,” Kempen said.
“After some time, he will be ready for full release, where he will be free to roam and monitored continuously to ensure his safety. The conservationists will also monitor his weight and progress to ensure that he is happy and healthy.”
Stevie's rescuers have ensured that the little pangolin will be able to enjoy many more years of carefree mud bathing.
Stevie's future is looking pretty bright.
Want more sweet surprises from a wild cat? See how Manny the majestic jaguar is living his retirement in a Florida sanctuary.
Share this article:
