The Power of Partnerships: NGOs and Governments Working Together to Save Pangolins

Pangolins are the most trafficked mammal in the world, with an estimated one million pangolins taken from the wild in the last decade alone. The illegal trade in pangolins is driven by a high demand for their scales and meat in countries like China and Vietnam, where they are used in traditional medicine and as a delicacy.

Despite being protected by international law, the illegal trade in pangolins continues to thrive. However, there is hope. By working together, NGOs and governments can help protect pangolins and their habitats from poaching and illegal trade.

The power of partnerships is evident in the successful efforts of organizations such as the African Pangolin Working Group (APWG), which works with governments in Africa to protect pangolins. The APWG conducts research and monitoring programs, trains law enforcement personnel, and provides support to governments in developing and implementing policies and regulations to protect pangolins.

In Uganda, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the Natural Resource Conservation Network (NRCN) have teamed up to protect the country's pangolin populations. The UWA provides law enforcement support, while the NRCN works with local communities to raise awareness about the importance of protecting pangolins and their habitats.

Partnerships between NGOs and governments have also led to successful rescues and releases of pangolins that have been confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade. The Tikki Hywood Trust in Zimbabwe, for example, works with the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to rescue, rehabilitate, and release pangolins that have been confiscated from the illegal trade.

The power of partnerships is not limited to NGOs and governments. Collaborations between NGOs, governments and local communities are also critical to pangolin conservation efforts. In Vietnam, Save Vietnam's Wildlife works with local communities to raise awareness about pangolins and to promote sustainable land use practices that protect pangolin habitats.

partnerships between NGOs and governments are making a difference in Nigeria as well. The Pangolin Conservation Guild of Nigeria (PCGN) is a non-profit organization working to conserve the four species of pangolin found in Nigeria: the White-bellied pangolin, Giant pangolin, Black-bellied pangolin, and the Long-tailed pangolin.

The PCGN works closely with the Nigerian government to strengthen law enforcement against pangolin poaching and trafficking. In collaboration with the Nigerian Customs Service, the PCGN has trained officers to identify pangolins and their scales and to understand the risks posed by the illegal trade.

The PCGN also works with local communities to raise awareness about the importance of protecting pangolins and their habitats. Through community outreach and education programs, the PCGN has helped local people to understand the ecological and economic value of pangolins and to report poaching activities to the authorities.

In addition, the PCGN has established partnerships with other NGOs working on pangolin conservation in Nigeria and beyond. For example, the PCGN has partnered with the African Pangolin Working Group and the Tikki Hywood Trust to share information and best practices on pangolin conservation.

One of the PCGN's key achievements has been the establishment of the Pangolin Rehabilitation Center in Nigeria. The center provides care and rehabilitation to pangolins that have been confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade, with the ultimate goal of releasing them back into the wild. In addition, the center serves as a hub for research on pangolin ecology and behavior, and as a training center for law enforcement personnel and conservationists.

The partnership between the PCGN and the Nigerian government has led to significant progress in pangolin conservation in Nigeria, including increased law enforcement against pangolin poaching and trafficking, and improved community awareness about the importance of protecting pangolins and their habitats. The establishment of the Pangolin Rehabilitation Center has also provided a much-needed resource for the care and rehabilitation of pangolins in Nigeria.

Partnerships between NGOs, governments and local communities can also help address the root causes of the illegal pangolin trade, such as poverty and lack of economic opportunities. By promoting sustainable livelihoods and income-generating activities, such as ecotourism and sustainable agriculture, these partnerships can provide alternative sources of income and reduce the pressure on pangolins and their habitats.

In conclusion, the power of partnerships is critical to pangolin conservation efforts. By working together, NGOs, governments, and local communities can help protect pangolins and their habitats from poaching and illegal trade, promote sustainable land use practices, and address the root causes of the illegal trade in pangolins. Together, we can help ensure a future for these unique and important animals.

Where are you from? Do you know of any NGO working towards the conservation of Pangolins in your country? Please feel free to drop your reaction in the comment section.