The primary goal of the SAVE THE PANGOLINS -UGANDA (STP-U) is
the conservation of the pangolins, a species currently listed
as ‘Critically Endangered’ by the IUCN (International Union for the
Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources). Even though its difficult to estimate how many pangolins are left in the wild, in increasingly fragmented forest
patches, time is running out.
To achieve its aims STP-U is adopting a number of methods
Quarantine and reintroduction
STP-U has plans to establish a purpose-built medical quarantine facility for confiscated pangolins and intends to reintroduce the species to Murchison falls National Park; an area that has a quite a population of pangolins.
STP-U is also hard at work preparing for their ambitious “Pangolin Haven”
project. Even though they hardly thrive in captivity, Pangolin
Haven will provide a short term refuge for unreleasable pangolins.
Improving law enforcement
By providing facilities to receive confiscated and captive pangolins STP-U will work with stakeholders to improve and advocate law
enforcement especially in protected areas.
Educating the public
STP-U has recently begun developing an education and awareness program
aimed at getting the conservation message across to the public.
Children (tomorrow’s decision makers) are one target of the program, but
more importantly, STP-U is targeting adults (today’s decision makers) in the towns and villages, especially near the remaining pangolin
habitat. We intend to massively engage school children.
Research and monitoring
In order to conserve the pangolins it is imperative that we
know as much about them as we can. STP-U has field staff and these will be permanently
based at the well known Kampala research station in Central Uganda,
continuing important long-term field studies of the Ugandan pangolin
population that have now been ongoing for over 20 years! STP intends also to be a
leading player in surveys and monitoring of the species, their numbers and their
distribution.
Habitat protection
Conserving habitat is a huge challenge in Uganda these days but STP-U is actively involved in several initiatives to expand the area under protection and improve protection in locations that are already designated as conservation areas.