Handing over a New Rescue Vehicle for the Kalahari Wildlife Project

Pangolin Africa is proud to celebrate the handover of a fully equipped brand-new Toyota Hilux 4×4 to Machel van Niekerk from the Kalahari Wildlife Project, made possible entirely through the Pangolin Photo Challenge.

Rather than charging a fixed entry fee, the 2025 Pangolin Photo Challenge invited participants to contribute a donation of their own choosing. The response was overwhelming — more than 5,000 entries from countries around the world, with every contribution going directly towards the purchase of the vehicle.

For the past 5 years, Machel van Niekerk has dedicated herself to the rehabilitation and release of endangered pangolins across the Northern Cape, often under demanding conditions. and her previous vehicle — a 2010 Toyota Fortuner approaching 300,000 kilometres — served the mission admirably, but its lack of four-wheel drive posed a genuine challenge in the region’s sandy and remote terrain. The new Hilux addresses this directly, offering the stability, capability, and safety that this critical work demands.

The original aim was to raise enough money to buy two Pangolin rescue vehicles to be deployed in South Africa, and we did achieve our goal. The total amount donated was close to R850 000 (approximately $50 000 or £40000 or €43 000), and we were able to buy Machel the new 4×4. Further, with the remaining donation money and the funds from the sale of the original Toyota Fortuner, we can purchase an additional second-hand vehicle, which the team are currently sourcing.

The handover ceremony, held at Upington Toyota, was a testament to the generosity of numerous partners. Elsabè Gresse at Upington Toyota and Pamela Kruger at My 4×4 Fitment Upington played instrumental roles in coordinating the event and rallying suppliers to ensure the vehicle was fully outfitted for its purpose.

Additional vehicle sponsors: Bull bar & underbody protection (GOBI-X) · Suspension (Opposite Lock – Tough Dog) · Advanced lighting (GLO-Tech&Lumeno) · Radio (AutoTech) – Canopy (RAMkappie) · Awning & Snorkel (Ironman) · Exhaust system (JBC) · Spacers (OFFROAD)

Director for Pangolin Africa, Toby Jermyn said, ”We extend our sincere gratitude to every participant in the Pangolin Photo Challenge whose entry fees funded this contribution. Machel’s work represents an invaluable commitment to the long-term survival of one of Africa’s most vulnerable species. We wish her many successful missions in the kilometres ahead.”

If you would like to donate or want to find out more about our conservation work, CLICK HERE.