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.
George Bulenga Senior Research staff and the Head of Department of Research and Publication collecting data on the Knowledge and Attitude of towards Pangolins in villages bordering Ibanda Kyerwa National Park. [Photo; Hillary Mrosso, 2022]
TRCO team and Staffs from Ibanda Kyerwa and Rumanyika Karagwe. [Photo; Hillary Mrosso, 2023]