Guardians of the Forest: How Land Leases and Community Trust Protect Endangered Pangolins
“Because you realize, if conservation doesn’t pay and people don’t benefit from it, they don’t see a need to be part of it. We help people see conservation can work, and then people see the benefit of belonging to a body like a conservancy.”
Beryl, the Habitat Manager for The Pangolin Project (TPP), has been integral to the organization since its inception. Her role involves managing Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with local landowners in the Nyekwere region, ensuring the protection of Pangolins by preventing deforestation on their land and removing electric fencing.
I quickly realized Beryl is indispensable to TPP. Having worked there from the start, she has handled every role, from monitoring Pangolins to logistics and operations. While chatting with her, she handled three calls about Pangolin Project tasks—clearly the go-to person!
TPP isn’t just about monitoring and protecting Pangolins. They work with communities to lease and protect land, combining nature-based financing and community science. This approach takes time and might seem risky, especially in an area with 2,000 land parcels where many NGOs have failed before. Yet, TPP has gained the community’s trust.
“Once the landowner signs the MOU, we keep visiting them to answer questions and ensure they keep their side of the agreement. We also follow up with landowners not yet on board. This is where our community guardians come in; their groundwork has been immensely helpful, going to each homestead to educate about Pangolins and how to report sightings.”
Securing land lease agreements through MOUs in conservation is challenging. Initial skepticism stemmed from past unfavorable leases with restrictive clauses and insufficient compensation. TPP addressed these issues with simpler, less restrictive agreements focused on forest protection.
Despite challenges like limited literacy and initial mistrust, TPP’s respectful and direct approach built strong community trust. Beryl jokes that TPP has become the local "neighborhood watch support line," highlighting the community’s confidence in reaching out for help with land-related issues.
Success with MOUs underscores the importance of community involvement in conservation. Listening to and addressing local concerns is actually helping TPP create a community forest sanctuary. Their efforts also support other wildlife, showing that engaging with TPP benefits more than just Pangolins.
“I see the Pangolin Project being a major pillar in this area for conservation, holding the conservancies, community, and other wildlife organizations together. No one is really talking about how much area is losing forest cover and how it affects wildlife and people. Our model is inclusive, trying to make people, wildlife, and the forest work together. Previously, everyone worked separately.”
The Pangolin Project proves that collaboration can succeed.
Community Opinions Count
In the early days of The Pangolin Project in Nyekweri, we discovered something remarkable: while many locals were familiar with pangolins, few understood their significance—or the threats they face. Partnering with organizations like Legado, we became one of the first NGOs to engage the community directly about conservation.
What we found was a deep openness to protecting pangolins, seen by many as harmless and even good omens. These unique creatures don’t compete for resources or threaten livelihoods, making them natural ambassadors for conservation. Through education and conversation, curiosity blossomed into support, laying the foundation for a community-driven mission to protect Kenya’s last Giant Ground Pangolins.Allies in protecting biodiversity.
Citizen Science
It’s not just the TPP team and conservancy rangers that find these Pangolins. With trust established, TPP has a network of community members who report Pangolin sightings. These eyes on the ground help tag, record, relocate, monitor and ultimately save these animals.
“Receiving a call about a Pangolin sighting always excites me. It’s not just about seeing the Pangolin but knowing there’s another one, as we worry the numbers are so low.”
And if the team ever has to treat a Pangolin or release it in a new area, they ensure that the community member who reported the sighting is invited to be part of that activity. Inclusive and transparent behaviour underscores the TPP way of working.
It’s Not Just a Job
In Nyekweri, NGOs often get a bad rap, seen as asking for money, doing little, and disappearing. TPP stands out by keeping promises and maintaining contact. From house calls to a 24/7 Pangolin sighting hotline, TPP ensures community involvement in every step.
“Everyone at TPP is so selfless and passionate. People wake up at 2 a.m. because there’s a call about a Pangolin, even if they’re not on duty. I work with people who see this not just as a job but as something they need to do.”
Beryl explaining how trust has been harnessed in the Nyekweri communities partly due to TPPs team being from the area too.
When the COVID-19 pandemic halted her globe-trotting career, Beryl found The Pangolin Project. Initially planning to stay for a year, she was captivated by the work’s learning and challenges. Surrounded by passionate colleagues, Beryl saw firsthand the importance of community involvement.
The Pangolin Project’s commitment to their promises stood out in a region where many organizations come and go. Beryl's journey highlights the importance of dedication, community engagement, and a relentless pursuit of conservation goals. She remains motivated by the ever-evolving nature of her work and the profound impact it has on preserving a unique species and its even more unique biodiverse hotspot.
📞 Imagine this: a late-night call from a local community member reporting a pangolin sighting. That call isn’t just a sighting—it’s proof of your impact. It’s a pangolin tagged, a habitat preserved, and a community empowered to protect their land and its wildlife.
By donating, you’re safeguarding not only pangolins but also the entire ecosystem they represent. You’re proving that conservation isn’t just a dream—it’s a shared responsibility with real, measurable results.