Wildlife forensics: how a giant pangolin named Ghost could help save the species

A new research programme in Gabon is identifying the isotopic fingerprint' of the world's most-trafficked mammal in the fight to beat smugglers

After a two-week chase through Lope-Okanda national park, a mosaic of rainforest and savannah in central Gabon, David Lehmann and his Wildlife Capture Unit were celebrating - they had caught a giant pangolin nicknamed Ghost, the biggest on record.

The team - consisting of eco-guards, an indigenous tracker, a field biologist and a wildlife vet - hope that Ghost, who weighs 38kg and measures 1.72m from nose to tail, will give valuable insights in their fight against poaching.