Zimbabwe currently leads in the conservation of the fast-becoming extinct pangolin species, Tshwane University of Technology professor and co-chairperson of the African Pangolin Working Group, Ray Jansen, has said.
BY SILENCE CHARUMBIRA
Jansen was addressing a workshop in Harare organised by Tikki Hywood Trust aimed at coming up with an action plan for the conservation of the animal.
He said it was important not to stagnant in light of the immense work that Zimbabwe had already done in protecting the endangered species.
“Zimbabwe is leading the conservation of the pangolin and what we do not want to do is to stagnant. Let us take to the next level before the animal becomes extinct,” Jansen said.
He said what was now required was to educate school children, students at universities and non-governmental organisations on the importance of the protection of endangered animals.
Tikki Hywood chief executive officer and founder Lisa Hywood said the main aim was to bring together all countries under the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
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She said during her recent trip to Vietnam, there was a recommendation for all four pangolin species from Africa and the other four in Asia that were already facing extinction to be up-listed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) Appendix 1, a group of none trade animals.
Hywood said although that would mean all trading of the animal would be rendered illegal, it was only part of the solution.
The pangolin has found markets in several Asian countries where it has various cultural significances.
Properties that make the scales of a pangolin were believed to be the same as those that make the horn of a rhino which was believed to have high medicinal values. The pangolin was also a delicacy in parts of Asia.
Hywood said the Zimbabwean judiciary had been very proactive in enforcing legislation.
She said they had also engaged traditional leaders to ensure that pangolins remained in the wild instead of captive zoo environments.
The workshop was also attended by officials from Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Rural District Councils representatives, veterinarians, the judiciary and police border control, among others.
