Wildlife
Pangolin

Thought to be the world’s most heavily trafficked mammals for their scales and meat, the pangolins found in the Congo are divided into three species, two of which are in danger of extinction. Their diet of insects makes them important predators for regulating insect populations in forest ecosystems.

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CONSERVATION STATUS: ENDANGERED / VULNERABLE DEPENDING ON THE SPECIES

Making up to 20% of their weight, their keratin scales are prized in some traditional medicines

From 40 to 100 cm for 14 to 35 kg, their weight and size vary considerably depending on the species

Pangolins are rare and poorly known, with densities sometimes below 1 individual per sq km of forest

Three pangolin species can be found in Congo:

The endangered Giant Pangolin, Smutsia gigantea, called Piguie (Lingala), Kelepa (Mbangombe), can measure up to 1m, and only comes out of its burrow at night.

The vulnerable Black-bellied Pangolin, Phataginus tetradactyla, is only 40cm long, arboreal and diurnal, called Kokolo (Mbangombe).

The endangered White-bellied Pangolin, Phataginus tricuspis, is nocturnal, and can nest in trees as well as on ground. It is called Kaka (Lingala), Kanjono (Mbangombe), Ekadi (Bendzele).

  • The pangolin is the world’s only known scaly mammal. It uses its scales to protect itself by rolling into a ball
  • A solitary creature, it feeds exclusively on insects and gives birth to one offspring after a long 150-day gestation period
  • Pangolins are found in tropical and flooded forests, as well as in thick scrub, cleared and cultivated areas, where they are thought to eat crops and killed
CHALLENGES

 

  • Poaching from organized international networks and opportunistic illegal hunting
  • Habitat loss, particularly from logging activities
  • Low resilience to demographic shocks
OUR APPROACH

 

  • Supporting a full-chain law enforcement program, including intelligence-led anti-poaching, anti-trafficking and legal follow-up efforts
  • Awareness raising, environmental education and knowledge of wildlife protection laws are effective deterrents to poaching, raising awareness of the risks to poachers and ecosystems
  • Working with national government and forestry companies to reduce habitat loss through improved landuse planning

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Contact Information
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