Wildlife Conservation Namibia Project #58804

Protecting pangolins in Southern Africa

by Pelorus Foundation

Summary

Pangolins, essential for biodiversity due to their seed-dispersing and insect-controlling abilities, are facing extinction as they are poached in large numbers to meet illegal wildlife trade demand. To combat this, we are working with local grassroot partner, PCRF, to conduct pangolin research, hire local people as community rangers, provide community food packs to prevent pangolin hunting for meat, and educate local people about pangolin conservation.

$13,000
total goal

$9,479
remaining

13
donors

0
monthly donors

1
year

Challenge

The world's most trafficked mammal is on the IUCN Red List, threatened with extinction. Vital to biodiversity, pangolins help disperse seeds and control insects, yet are illegally poached in their tens of thousands to meet wildlife trade demand. In just the first half of 2019, nearly 200,000 trafficked pangolins were seized by customs officials. Driven by demand for pangolin products in East Asia, these unique mammals are facing extinction. Since 2012 over one million pangolins were trafficked

Solution

Working with local grassroots partner, PCRF, our approach to conserve and help stop pangolin extinction addresses three key areas: 1. Research and build understanding and knowledge of pangolins, their habits and habitats; 2. Work with local people by employing community rangers, and provide community food packs to prevent pangolins being hunted for meat; 3. Raising awareness and educating people and local school children on pangolin conservation and its essential role in local biodiversity.

Long-Term Impact

This project will help to: 1. Reduce illegal trafficking of African pangolins through collaboration with wildlife law enforcement . Increase survival rates of re-released confiscated pangolins. Improve local biodiversity. 2. Increase knowledge of pangolin habits and habitats across Southern Africa through data gathering, sharing, and research. Increase community pangolin guardianship through education and awareness raising. 3. Improve local livelihoods through employment of community rangers.