We are proud to announce that our latest research, led by TRCO scientists in collaboration with Sokoine University of Agriculture and international partners, has been published in the open-access journal Ecology and Evolution.
The paper, titled “Local Ecological Knowledge Insights Into the Distribution and Activity Patterns of Temminck’s Pangolin in Ruaha Landscape, Tanzania,” highlights how community knowledge can play a vital role in protecting one of the world’s most threatened mammals.
Key Findings:
- Village lands are important pangolin habitats: Most pangolin sightings occurred outside protected areas, in community-managed lands.
- Human activities influence pangolin encounters: daily livelihoods such as crop farming, livestock grazing, and firewood collection were closely linked to when and where pangolins were observed.
- Communities are eager to engage in conservation: many local people expressed willingness to contribute knowledge, assist in monitoring, and participate in conservation actions.
Why It Matters
Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals in the world, facing severe threats from poaching and habitat loss. Yet in Tanzania, little was known about their distribution, especially in the Ruaha landscape. This research provides baseline information that can inform conservation planning at both local and national levels.
By combining local ecological knowledge with scientific approaches, TRCO and partners are helping build more inclusive, effective, and sustainable conservation strategies, ensuring that both people and pangolins can thrive.
Read the full open-access article here