The Return of the Pangolin

In 2018, a remarkable event unfolded in Kenya when giant ground pangolins, believed to be extinct, were rediscovered after half a century. These solitary, nocturnal creatures faced a new threat – electric fences erected by farmers to protect crops from wildlife, unintentionally endangering pangolins in the process.

Pangolins, considered the world's most trafficked animals, face severe threats due to poaching for their meat and scales. In Kenya, the giant ground pangolin's population is estimated to be between 30 and 80 individuals. To safeguard these pangolins, the Pangolin Project, since 2021, has been collaborating with landowners around Nyakweri forest to create space for these elusive animals.

The project faces challenges as farmers clear forests for farming and erect electric fences. Deforestation poses a significant threat to the pangolin habitat, and the project strives to strike a balance between conservation and farmers' livelihoods.

The Nyekweri Kimintet Forest Conservation Trust, covering almost 2,020 hectares, has emerged as a collaborative effort involving 23 landowners. However, the lack of alternative livelihoods for farmers poses a hurdle to complete conservation adoption.

Community engagement plays a pivotal role in conservation success. "Pangolin guardians," a team raising awareness in the community, assists landowners in modifying electric fences to reduce harm to pangolins. Claire Okell, founder of the Pangolin Project, emphasises the importance of community ownership in protecting pangolins.

Meanwhile, the Pangolin Project's race against time continues. Conservationists feel the weight of protecting the last of the pangolins, emphasising the commitment to creating a protected habitat with a viable population.

The unique role of pangolins in ecosystems cannot be understated. Found in diverse landscapes, pangolins contribute to insect population regulation, soil processes, and provide shelter for various taxa. Understanding their ecological role adds another layer to the urgency of conserving these remarkable creatures.

As pangolin conservation unfolds in Kenya, a delicate balance must be maintained – one that ensures the survival of these species while respecting the livelihoods of the communities intertwined with their habitat.