Researchers in S.Africa look at pangolins and climate change Pangolins are said to be the world's most trafficked mammal. They are both nocturnal and notoriously shy which makes them incredibly difficult to research, but a small group of South Africans have undertaken this mammoth task. Based in the Kalahari Dessert, PhD Candidate Wendy Panaino is trying to establish the impact of global warming on African ground pangolins in their natural habitat.