Okanagan author releases book to help endangered pangolins

Photo: Contributed

An Okanagan-based screenwriter and author is gearing up to release her latest children's book highlighting the world's most trafficked mammal, the pangolin.

Terri Tatchell will be releasing 'Adventures of a Pangopop' on September 4 which marks National Wildlife Day. The book provides a fun and uplifting look on pangolins which are currently the world's most trafficked mammal that has also gotten bad press due to COVID-19.

"The pangolin is the most trafficked mammal on earth, so it was already set to be featured in the second book in the Endangered and Misunderstood Series. I do admit however, that once the poor animal started getting blamed for COVID-19, we changed the title from 'Adventures of a Pangolin' to 'Adventures of a Pangopup' which is the name of a baby pangolin," says Terri Tatchell.

"On one hand, the timing is great to spread some positivity their way, but on the other hand who wants to snuggle up for a bedtime story about the creature allegedly responsible for cancelled playdates and getting locked inside? Which in itself is kind of ironic, because the story starts with the pangolin not being allowed outside because 'there’s danger everywhere.'"

All proceeds raised from the Endangered and Misunderstood book series goes towards charities working to protect endangered animals. Since the release of Tatchell's first book of the series 'Aye-Aye Gets Lucky,' $1,500 has been donated to Duke Lemur Centre for Aye-Aye Conservation.

But that isn't all Tatchell has done. She has also donated books to lower income pre-schools, classrooms that first responders serve, families escaping abuse and reading programs based in Ghana, Africa. In addition to this, $1,000 has been donated to the Vancouver Aquarium.

Tatchell who has been nominated at the Academy Awards for Best Adapted Screenplay is best known for writing the films District 9 and Chappie.

Adventures of a Pangopup will soon be available at bookstores and online platforms.