The world’s most trafficked mammal will soon have a new pathway to protection following the release of the Southern African Regional Pangolin Conservation Action Plan (SARPCAP) workshop report.
The workshop, hosted by the IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group (PSG) in September 2024, was a landmark event in bringing together pangolin experts from across southern Africa to create a shared vision for conservation. Its 71-page report outlines key issues from which an action plan will be drafted – and ecology is at the heart of it all.
Far more funding goes toward the rehabilitation of animals seized from the illegal wildlife trade than to studying pangolins in the wild, which makes conservation work for these elusive creatures all the more difficult.
"It is essential we understand the baseline ecology in order to make informed conservation decisions for the species. In most range states, we don’t even understand pangolin populations,” says Kelsey Prediger, founder and executive director of the Pangolin Conservation & Research Foundation (PCRF) and co-chair in Southern Africa of IUCN SSC PSG.
Understanding the role of pangolins in the ecosystem is critical because they consume large quantities – up to 70 million annually – of ants and termites. Without pangolins, an overpopulation of these insects could result in less food availability for other species of wildlife. But studying solitary animals in remote locations is not easy – neither logistically nor financially.
“I think the greatest challenge comes from the lack of awareness about pangolins, which results in little to no funding for research efforts into pangolin ecology,” says Prediger. “If people don’t know a species exists, it’s hard for them to have the interest and drive to protect it.”
Trafficking is a significant problem, but it isn’t the only danger pangolins face. Climate change, habitat loss, electric fencing and sustenance poaching are also major threats – and all a result of human activity. Increasing awareness is crucial.
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Guardians on the ground
Meanwhile, conservation groups like PCRF are working closely with local communities to protect and study pangolins whilst boosting livelihoods.
The Nyae Nyae Pangolin Project has been operating in its namesake conservancy in Namibia since 2021, utilising the knowledge of the indigenous San Ju/’hoansi tribe to better understand the area’s pangolins.
The SARPCAP workshop report repeatedly highlights the importance of community-led conservation, and expanding collaboration through guardianship programs in appropriate locations throughout southern Africa will be a key component of the action plan.
Prediger says the programs are extremely valuable for people and pangolins alike, empowering communities through the hiring and training of pangolin guardians and facilitating accountability through peer-to-peer teamwork.
"Community members work together with the guardians to keep their animals protected because of the jobs and the benefits the project brings. We have seen great enthusiasm and actually employ many previous hunters – they see guardianship as a great opportunity to earn a living to support their families in an honourable way.”
Main image credit: CreativeLAB
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