Tanzania Pangolin Conservation Project
The Tanzania Pangolin Project is implemented by The Tanzania Research and Conservation Organization (TRCO). Globally, there are eight species of pangolins, in which three types Temminck’s ground pangolin (Smutsia temminckii), white-bellied pangolins (Phataginus tricuspis), and Giant pangolins (Smutsia gigantea) occur in Tanzania. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List 2022 categorises these species as vulnerable and endangered species. As they are used for food, traditional medicines and cultural practices, makes the pangolin the most illegally trafficked wild mammal.
The overall goals of Tanzania Pangolin Project are conducting Socio-Ecological research and monitoring programs of Pangolin in Tanzania, Implementing Community and outreach programs to support human-pangolin coexistence and Training and capacity-building programs for pangolin conservation and monitoring. The Tanzania Pangolin Project is implemented focusing 8 key ecosystems including the Serengeti ecosystem; Ruaha – Rungwa ecosystem, Udzungwa – Selous ecosystem; Burigi Chato – Ibanda Kyerwa ecosystem; Gombe-Mahale ecosystem; Manyara-Tarangire ecosystem; Rukwa-Katavi ecosystem and Eastern ecosystems.
Our pangolin projects are expected to offer vital information about key pangolin habitat areas that can be conserved in both protected areas and village lands, which will assist in the coexistence of humans and pangolins. Pangolin projects in various ecosystems will add information to the existing population status and extent of threats in Tanzania. TRCO together with other institutions and local people will develop mitigation strategies for the conservation of pangolins to address challenges or threats that emerge. Involving local communities in research and conservation will help to develop a long-term conservation approach for pangolins.
For more about Tanzania Pangolin project, please reach us through info@trco.or.tz
Tanzania Research and Conservation Organization, in collaboration with the Department of Wildlife Management from Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), conducted a baseline survey in villages adjacent to the South East of Ruaha National Park, to reveal the Knowledge, Attitude, and Ecological Realities of pangolins to Enhance its Conservation Practices. The project was funded by Sokoine University of Agriculture Research and Innovation Support (SUARIS)
The project identified Communities attitudes and believes toward pangolin, mapping spatial and temporal distribution of pangolin in villages adjacent to Ruaha National Park and Identifying use and trade pattern of pangolin and pangolin products in Communities adjacent to Ruaha National Park. Findings from this study used to provide appropriate recommendations and propose interventions that would help to conserve and protect pangolins from extinction.
TRCO is still sourcing funds to extend the ecological research and monitoring programs in other part of the Ruaha Rungwa Ecosystem. TRCO committed to conduct ecological research and monitoring programs to further understand the ecological realities of pangolin including knowledge, attitudes, believes, population structure, activity pattern and trade flow. Furthermore, to conduct community outreach programs and capacity building to create awareness about pangolin conservation and monitoring in the Ruaha Rungwa Landscape.
Burigi-Chato, Ibanda-Kyerwa, Rumanyika-Karagwe Pangolin project
Tanzania Research and Conservation Organization (TRCO) received a grant from the Russel E. Train Education for Nature (EFN) through WWF United States to conduct a survey assessing local people’s knowledge, beliefs and attitude, and determine the distribution of pangolins in villages found adjacent to Burigi-Chato National Park, Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park, and Rumanyika-Karagwe National Park that all found in western Tanzania. This area is thought to hold White-bellied tree pangolins and Temminck’s ground pangolins. This project offers vital information about key pangolin habitat areas that can be protected and driving factors for the illegal harvest of pangolins, which eventually will help to develop policy recommendations and enhance the coexistence of humans and pangolins.
Through participating in this project number of stakeholders have increased their knowledge and develop interest concerning learning about pangolin and engaging in pangolin conservation. During data collection and training stakeholders were educated about types of pangolins existing in Tanzania, their ecology and threats. Most of participants were not aware on wildfire, dogs and excavation of termite’s mounds for brick making are among threats to pangolins survival. The project emphasizes on the planned fire during farm preparation (if needed) and conservation of termite’s mounds which were positively accepted by local communities.
TRCO is still sourcing funds to extend the ecological research and monitoring programs of Pangolin in Western Tanzania. The western ecosystem is of great importance as it borders with Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda which increases trade interaction. TRCO committed to establish a long-term research program on pangolin ecology in Western Tanzania to further understand the Ecology and Trade pattern of Pangolin and Pangolin products in the Western Tanzania. Furthermore, to conduct community outreach programs and capacity building to create awareness about pangolin conservation and monitoring in Western Tanzania.