Minister Calls on Zambians to Reject Myths and Protect the Endangered Pangolin
The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting pangolins and strengthening wildlife conservation efforts in Zambia.
Speaking at the Lusaka premiere of the pangolin conservation documentary A Love Like Ours Is Rare, Minister of Tourism Honourable Rodney Sikumba said Government remains committed to safeguarding pangolins through strong partnerships, effective law enforcement and community involvement.
Zambia is home to two pangolin species: the Temminck’s ground pangolin, listed as Vulnerable, and the white-bellied tree pangolin, classified as Endangered. Pangolins are among the most trafficked mammals globally, targeted mainly for their scales and meat, with Zambia historically identified as both a source and transit country for illegal trade.
Honourable Sikumba said the Protect the Pangolins Initiative, launched in 2018, was established in response to rising cases of illegal trafficking. He explained that Wildlife Crime Prevention, working with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, set up a rehabilitation facility to care for rescued pangolins until they are fit for release back into the wild.
The Minister said more than 800 pangolins have been rehabilitated since the initiative began, contributing to a decline in trafficking cases. He added that a 2022 post-release monitoring study showed survival rates of 84 per cent after one month, 63 per cent after three months and 50 per cent after one year.
Honourable Sikumba urged Zambians to reject myths linking pangolins to luck or healing and called for greater community participation in conservation efforts. He emphasised that local communities play a central role in protecting wildlife.
Officials from Wildlife Crime Prevention and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife said illegal trafficking and habitat pressure remain the main threats to pangolins. They stressed that pangolins are fully protected under Zambian law, with stiff penalties for illegal possession, trafficking or harm.
The public was urged to report any suspected illegal activity involving pangolins to the relevant authorities.
