Guardians of the gentle ones
Conservation | February 2026
On World Pangolin Day 2026, we reflect on almost a decade of partnership with the Tikki Hywood Foundation – and how meaningful craftsmanship can support the protection of one of Africa’s most vulnerable creatures.
There are moments in our family’s story when creativity and conservation come together in a way that feels both natural and necessary. Our connection to the pangolin – an animal as elusive as it is enchanting – is one of those defining chapters.
The Tikki Hywood Foundation has been protecting pangolins since 1994, long before most of the world understood how vulnerable these gentle animals had become. Our own journey with them began in 2016, when we partnered to support their rescue and rehabilitation work. In the years since, more than 403 pangolins have been rescued across Zimbabwe during the decade of our involvement – a testament to the foundation’s extraordinary commitment and the growing global awareness around pangolin conservation.
Their work extends across borders. In 2025, teams in both Zimbabwe and Cameroon rescued 143 pangolins, with an exceptional 131 successfully released back into the wild. And the momentum continues: since the start of 2026, three pangolins have already been rescued and six returned to their natural habitats.
These figures are more than statistics, they represent lives restored, ecosystems strengthened and hope rekindled for a species that relies on human guardianship to survive.
Heritage & Culture
Pangolin Inspired Designs
Creativity Through Conservation
Handcrafted in Sterling Silver & 18CT Gold
Since 2016
Our role began, as so many of our stories do, in the workshop… When we launched the Pangolin Collection in 2016, it was inspired by the animal’s delicate armour and gentle spirit, but it was also created with purpose. Each piece contributes directly to conservation, with 10% of proceeds supporting the Foundation’s vital work. Choosing, wearing or gifting a Pangolin Collection piece becomes a quiet act of guardianship – a way of helping to protect a species under significant threat.
Did you know?
01
Pangolins remain the most heavily trafficked mammals on earth. All eight species are threatened, with African species increasingly targeted for the illegal wildlife trade.
02
A pangolin’s tongue can stretch up to 40cm, allowing it to reach deep inside anthills and termite mounds to feed.
03
The same material as human nails and hair, pangolin scales form an intricate, overlapping armour that protects them from natural predators.
04
By consuming millions of ants and termites each year, pangolins help control insect populations, aerate the soil and support biodiversity.
05
Known as ‘pangopups’, young pangolins cling to the base of their mother’s tail as she forages – one of the most distinctive and endearing behaviours in the animal kingdom.
To the team at Tikki Hywood, whose dedication continues to inspire us, we offer our deepest admiration. And to our global community, thank you for standing with us. Your appreciation for these handcrafted creations plays a meaningful part in ensuring that more pangolins return to the wild, exactly where they belong.
Read more
The Kolisi Cuff
Craig, The TUSK Trust & Patrick Mavros