Review of some aspects of the ecology, population trends, socioeconomic complexities and conservation options for Temminck's pangolins in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Temminck's pangolin, Smutsia temminckii (Smuts), 1832 is a widespread mammal in eastern and southern Africa, and is the most trafficked animal in Zimbabwe despite enforcement of stringent laws and regulations. Nonetheless, there has been little research on the pangolins in Zimbabwe. The aim of this literature review was to assess some ecological aspects, population trends, socioeconomic and cultural complexities and conservation options for Temminck's pangolin in Zimbabwe. The review found that despite intense focus on poaching and trafficking threats affecting Temminck's pangolins, there were few attempts to assess the ecological behaviour and establish accurate population estimates and exact distribution inside and outside of protected areas. Furthermore, decades of economic meltdown in tandem with politically-driven land-use and land-cover transformations have disintegrated previously intact pangolin habitats, and societal and cultural endearment and reverence for pangolins in the country. Consequently, the lure of lucrative poaching and trafficking syndicates has outpaced law enforcement and usurped well-meaning conservation efforts, in the process threatening the pangolin population. Commercial pangolin farming for ecotourism, pangolin product substitution and explanatory and informative pangolin education awareness initiatives are new potentially viable, but unexplored future research, options for conserving pangolins in the country. It is recommended to use valid indirect methods for long-term assessment of the ecology, population trends and distribution of pangolins for sustainable conservation. Citizen science integration in developing a cogent National Pangolin Policy is vital to redress ecological and socioeconomic, cultural and political complexities threatening Temminck's pangolin conservation in Zimbabwe.