Esupat’s Return: A Pangolin’s Story of Survival and Hope

In the heart of the Nyekweri ecosystem, where dense forests meet an uncertain future, a remarkable story unfolded—one that reminds us why every effort to protect this fragile landscape matters.

Esupat, pronounced E-soo-pat), meaning “The Humble One” in Maa, is an adult female Giant Pangolin first tagged in March 2024 in an area called Saruni. But just 12 days later, her tracking tags failed. The team lost sight of her, and for months, her fate remained unknown.

Then, on the night of January 7th, a single phone call changed everything.

A Call in the Dark

The call came from a middle-aged livestock keeper who had been walking through the land when he saw something extraordinary—a pangolin, curled up in the undergrowth. Knowing the importance of such a sighting, he did what he had been encouraged to do: he called The Pangolin Project. You see, community members are gifted KES5,000 from The Pangolin Project after successfully reporting a Giant Pangolin - a great incentive and way to include them in Pangolin monitoring.

Wilson, one of the project’s dedicated guardians, answered. Within minutes, he was on his motorbike, accompanied by Joshua, the wildlife vet, and Paul, racing through the night to verify the report.

And there she was—Esupat.

Alive. In an area she had never been seen before.

The team recognized her immediately by a broken scale and the small hole where her lost tag had once been. A quick health check confirmed what they had all hoped—she was in good condition.

Michael, TPP’s Conservation Monitoring Manager, reflected on the moment:

“As the name suggests, Esupat is humble, very calm. She’s one of the pangolins that’s easy to handle… You just do whatever you need to do, and as soon as you’re done, she moves 10 meters and starts exhibiting normal behavior.”

For a species on the brink, Esupat’s resilience is remarkable. She had survived being caught in a fence, endured the challenges of a shrinking habitat, and now, she had reappeared in an unexpected location—further proof that pangolins are still navigating Nyekweri’s fragmented landscape.

“We are happy that tonight we meet again Esupat she move from Saruni area to Tajewuo area” Wilson

“This is a female giant pangolin we tagged last year in the Saruni area. Although the tags only lasted a few days, it was wonderful to spot her last night. She looks healthy and is thriving! The last time she was recorded on a camera trap was mid-last year.” Joshua

Why This Matters More Than Ever

Esupat’s return is more than just a heartwarming sighting. It highlights the urgent need to protect not just isolated patches of forest but the entire 24,700-acre habitat these pangolins rely on.

Her new location lies outside the initial 12,000-acre area set for conservation leases. She is telling us something critical: we cannot afford to stop at 12,000 acres—we need to safeguard the full extent of this landscape to ensure a future for Kenya’s last remaining Giant Pangolins.

The Pangolin Project team have begun to present lease agreements to Nyekweri’s community leaders, marking the first step toward securing 12,000+ acres of core habitat. If successful, landowners will begin signing agreements by mid-February, paving the way for a sanctuary where pangolins like Esupat—and countless other species—can thrive.

But time is short. The forests are shrinking. The fences are closing in. And Esupat’s journey is proof that we must act now.

You Are Part of This Story

Esupat’s survival is not just a victory for conservation—it’s a victory for everyone who has stood up for pangolins. Every supporter, every advocate, and every person who believes that these extraordinary creatures deserve a future is part of this moment.

Now, as the team pushes forward, navigating complex negotiations and government processes, their mission is clear: to protect Esupat, her future offspring, and every pangolin yet to be found in Nyekweri.

This is the most critical time for The Pangolin Project. And we need you with us.

Will you stand with Esupat, and friends, to ensure their next journey leads to safety, not struggle?

Together, we can make history.

Because of you, Esupat and Kenya’s last Giant Pangolins have a fighting chance.