In recognition of World Pangolin Day, Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital (JWVH) has partnered with the Habitat Nature Parks Foundation and its immersive production studio Habitat XR to launch Wild Voices: Pangolin - a free augmented reality (AR) mobile app that allows anyone to meet and speak to a life-sized Temminck’s ground pangolin using their smartphone. 

For nearly nine years, JWVH has been at the frontline of Temminck’s pangolin rescue, treatment and rehabilitation in South Africa. The hospital has treated more than 200 pangolins rescued from illegal wildlife trafficking - many arriving severely dehydrated, injured and traumatised. 

Yet despite being South Africa’s only indigenous pangolin species, most people will never encounter one in the wild. 

This app changes that. 

Using immersive 3D technology and conversational artificial intelligence, Wild Voices: Pangolin allows users to project a life-sized pangolin into their own environment, ask it questions, and learn about its biology, threats and ecological importance - all based on scientifically informed data. 

“At JWVH, we see the devastating consequences of wildlife trafficking on pangolins every day,” says Dr Karin Lourens, Co-Founder and Head Veterinarian of Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital. 

“So many people still don’t know what a pangolin is. By making this experience free and accessible to anyone with a smartphone, we can reach far beyond the walls of our hospital. This app allows someone to stand face-to-face with South Africa’s only pangolin species in their own living room - turning an unfamiliar, abstract animal into something real and worthy of protection.” 

Ethical Immersion Without Wildlife Disturbance 

The app has been intentionally designed to reinforce appropriate wildlife boundaries. If a user attempts to invade the pangolin’s space, it curls into a defensive ball - just as it would in nature - subtly teaching respect and distance. 

Digital experiences like this allow emotional connection without placing real animals under stress or encouraging unsafe tourism encounters. 

Innovation as a Conservation Tool 

JWVH partnered with Habitat Nature Parks Foundation because of a shared belief that conservation must evolve to meet modern challenges. 

“The Habitat team is a creative force that shares our passion for innovative conservation,” says Wendy Willson, Co-Director and Legal lead at the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital. 

“Their broader vision of immersive, ethical wildlife experiences aligns with our belief that the future of conservation must include bold new ways of connecting people to nature. If we can foster empathy at scale, we strengthen the foundation for long-term protection.” 

Beyond Treatment: Changing the System 

Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital’s work extends beyond clinical care. The hospital not only pursues justice for animals in court cases of their own but regularly provides expert veterinary reports and forensic evidence for joint wildlife crime cases, working closely with law enforcement and the judiciary. 

“Treating and releasing animals is not enough if the cycle of poaching continues,” Willson explains. “Without meaningful legal consequences and habitat protection, conservation becomes a revolving door. Our mission is to protect wildlife both in the field and within the justice system that governs its survival.” 

By combining medical excellence, legal advocacy and now immersive education, JWVH aims to address conservation at multiple levels - from individual rescue to systemic change. 

Free Access for Global Awareness 

Wild Voices: Pangolin is free to download from the App Store and Google Play. 

The app also includes optional in-app donations to support ongoing pangolin rescue and rehabilitation efforts at JWVH. 

“Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals in the world,” says Lourens. “If technology can help more people care about them, understand them, and stand up for them, then it becomes a powerful conservation tool.” 

The app officially launches on 21 February 2026 in honour of World Pangolin Day.