Current Conservation Efforts

Current Conservation Efforts

There are currently many measures in place to reduce the illegal wildlife trade activity and to minimise the trade of pangolins and its related products.

 Government and Legal Regulation

All 8 species of Asian and African pangolins are listed under Appendix II of CITES, which indicates that trade is regulated and monitored under CITES, permits are required from exporting countries for any trade activity. To issue a permit, the exporting country must determine that this activity will have no detriment to the wild population. A zero export quota for the four Asiatic pangolin species was issued in 2000. This means that all commercial trade of these species of pangolins is banned but other purposes (research, scientific, etc.) requiring the need for these species can still be authorized by permit. In addition, pangolins are protected in their range states by domestic wildlife law such as  Wild Animals and Birds Act in Singapore.

Training Rangers and Wildlife Authorities

In order to reduce the illegal pangolin trade, it is imperative to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of enforcement efforts. The relevant authorities and rangers must have the required capacity to crack down on these illegal activities. This can be done by providing them with the relevant tools and resources. By doing so, the relevant parties will be able to carry out their duties in a more streamlined and effective manner.

Improving Biological Knowledge Base

Pangolins are nocturnal and highly solitary animal and many obscurities that exist with regards to their behaviours. The lack of knowledge and research studies done in this field has proved a hindrance to the conservation efforts. Detailed studies about their behaviours and interaction with their ecosystem are required in order to expand the base of knowledge to improve the conservation efforts and reduce the immediate threat that these pangolins are facing. Current efforts include studying the main threats to these Asian pangolins such as poaching and loss of habitat.

Education and Creating Awareness

The absence in awareness of the current problem and the shortage in resources available to the relevant organisations and authorities have proved to be a major hindrance in implementing appropriate conservation measures and protocols. It is crucial that the communities and authorities involved be fully aware of the extent of benefits that pangolin conservation can bring to the local communities and the surrounding ecosystem.

Harapan Rainforest in Sumatra is heavily involved in maintaining the site protection of the pangolin’s habitat as well as surveying the biodiversity in the area. At the same time, they are actively engaging the local communities and developing programs tailored towards raising awareness within these communities.

Rescue and Rehabilitation Centers for Pangolins

Live and injured pangolins are frequently confiscated from illegal traders and poachers. It is vital to develop measures that ensure these pangolins that are retrieved receive the required medical attention and rehabilitation while they are in the rescue centers before they are reintroduced back into the wild.

Partnerships and Collaborations

Collaborations and partnerships are crucial in this fight to prevent illegal wildlife trade activities. Different organisations hold different expertise, information and perspectives. When partnerships and collaborations are formed, this can bring about new ideas and solutions that may tackle this problem more effectively and efficiently. Examples include: Singapore Workshop on Trade and Conservation of Pangolins Native to South and Southeast Asia which was held in the Singapore Zoo in 2008. This workshop was jointly organised by the Singapore Zoo and TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, supported by Wildlife Reserves Singapore. This workshop brought together a key group of personnel that are already involved in the conservation of pangolins to discuss possible solutions to combat the illegal trade. As a result of the workshop, a list of recommendations and follow-up action plan was disseminated to the relevant authorities and groups which enabled for effective and efficient enforcement in the future.

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