Exclusive wallpaper for WWF members

This month we’re celebrating a unique and elusive species – pangolins. 

There are many descriptions for these mysterious mammals – ‘scaly anteaters,’ ‘walking pinecones,’ and even ‘modern-day dinosaurs,’ to name a few. But the word pangolin comes from ‘penggulung,’ the Malay word for roller – the action a startled pangolin takes in self-defence to roll into a protective ball when it senses danger is near.  

Their full armour of scales is incredibly useful against predators including leopards, tigers and hyenas with whom they share their tropical forest and grassland habitats. But sadly, this tip-to-tail defence mechanism is useless against poachers. 

Pangolins the most trafficked mammal in the world.  Their tough scales - made from keratin, the same as our hair and nails - are extremely valuable in the illegal wildlife trade. As demand grows primarily throughout Africa and Asia, all eight species of pangolin are now threatened with extinction. 

But, thanks to your support, we’re working to tackle the illegal wildlife trade, lobbying for anti-trafficking and anti-poaching laws, and securing a future for this incredibly solitary and secretive species. This month’s wallpaper is a thank you for being a member.

You can bring some pangolin imagery to your desktop, tablet, or mobile phone with our wallpaper and May 2025 calendar, which are also a thank you for being a WWF member. Just scroll down and click the relevant button to download the image.