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, Ibanda-Kyerwa, and Rumanyika-Karagwe National Parks 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 to be protected within above mentioned National parks, occupancy estimates of pangolins whereby Ibanda Kyerwa NP found to have higher probability of encountering pangolin. There is variation in local community perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes towards pangolins, but all communities hold myths that negatively impact pangolins. Also, the trade flows of Pangolin and derivatives in which live pangolins and pangolin scales found to be main product involved in the trade. Source, destination, collection hubs, uses and price of pangolin and pangolin derivatives were also identified, disclosing the existing of international trade of Pangolin and their derivatives to Uganda, Kenya, DR Congo, and South Africa.
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. Also is a landscape which holds all three species of Pangolin found in Tanzania. TRCO committed to establish a long-term research program to further understand the ecology of pangolins, to combat illegal trade of pangolin through community outreach and education programs, capacity building to enhance human pangolin coexistence and supporting livelihood activities to communities adjacent to protected areas in Western Landscapes.
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]