Beyond Pangolins: Responding to Wildlife Emergencies in the Nyekweri Ecosystem
At The Pangolin Project (TPP), protecting biodiversity means looking beyond pangolins. While safeguarding Kenya’s last remaining Giant Ground Pangolins remains our core mission, every patrol we support, every community meeting we help convene, and every injured animal we help respond to through our partners is part of restoring the health of an entire ecosystem.
In 2025, we’ve already recorded 29 wildlife injuries between January and March, almost matching the total number recorded across all of 2024. While the root causes are complex, many of these incidents occur in areas not yet under formal conservation management. That’s why our focus remains on securing forest habitat, supporting community rangers, and working with partners like Kenyan Wildlife Service to deliver rapid, compassionate care when wildlife is at risk.
Joshua and KWS: A Lifeline for Injured Wildlife
Joshua, our Wildlife Health Technician, plays a key role in TPP’s holistic conservation approach. Working closely with Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) veterinarians, and local conservancies such as The Mara Triangle, Joshua provides emergency care to wildlife in distress- ranging from zebras to giraffes, while continuing our monitoring and pangolin support efforts.
While our monitoring and ranger teams help flag incidents, the vital response work is a joint effort- TPP coordinates with conservancy rangers and KWS vet units to ensure each case is handled quickly and ethically. These moments of collaboration reflect the wider ecosystem stewardship model we are working to strengthen across Nyekweri.
In just one day over Easter, 2025, Joshua supported KWS to:
Successfully treated a zebra with an arrow wound.
Treated a second zebra with a severe gash.
Monitored a giraffe suffering from a dislocated joint.
Swift, skilled action saves lives—and strengthens trust between TPP, local communities, and conservation authorities.
“Thanks to swift action and teamwork, both animals received the necessary treatment and were given a second chance at life. We commend our rangers for their unwavering dedication, as they tirelessly track down injured animals and remain by their side until veterinary help arrives.”
United for Wildlife: Collaboration in Action
Saving wildlife in Nyekweri is not a solo effort- it’s a collective mission. At The Pangolin Project, we work hand-in-hand with local communities, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), conservancies, and partner charities to respond to emergencies and protect the ecosystem.
These incidents reflect the current reality in Nyekweri: while parts of the landscape are being brought under conservation protection, many areas remain highly fragmented and unregulated. In the interim, before long-term land securement is complete, wildlife continue to face risks from fences, snares, and retaliatory threats.
Here’s what collaboration looks like on the ground:
🐾 Community First Response: In Olkirreruki Centre, community members spotted a lone orphaned zebra foal and immediately alerted rangers. Thanks to their vigilance and quick action from TPP rangers, the foal was rescued and is now thriving under Joshua’s dedicated care.
🦓 Rapid Ranger Mobilization: During a routine patrol, our rangers found a zebra with an arrow wound. Through swift coordination with the Mara Triangle Veterinary Unit, veterinary care was deployed, saving the animal's life.
🐘 Cross-Organizational Partnerships: Together with the Mara Elephant Project, TPP teams assisted in treating an injured elephant—demonstrating the power of alliances in complex rescue operations.
🦌 Community-Led Compassion: When a local villager rescued a newborn impala, it reflected the growing conservation ethic we are building across Nyekweri: a belief that saving wildlife is everyone’s responsibility.
🦌 Rangers on the Frontline: Dupoto Rangers freed a duiker caught in wire mesh—a reminder that regular patrols don’t just prevent poaching; they save lives daily.
"Every rescue is a web of action — community alerts, ranger patrols, veterinary response, and conservation organisations pulling together for a single goal: survival," says Joshua Omele, Wildlife Health Technician at TPP.
Are Injuries really Increasing?
Not exactly.
While it may seem like wildlife injuries are on the rise, the real story is one of improved detection and stronger response.
In fact, thanks to better coordination and a more consistent veterinary presence, the proportion of reported cases receiving treatment has jumped from 20% to over 80% in recent months. That’s not just progress- it’s transformation.
Why? Because our capacity has changed.
In mid-2024, The Pangolin Project expanded its ranger force to 21 community conservancy rangers, dramatically improving our ability to monitor, report, and respond to wildlife injuries across the Nyekweri landscape. With more trained eyes on the ground, we’re seeing more, not necessarily because there are more injuries, but because we’re finally present when they happen.
“The increase in recorded incidents reflects not just rising pressures on wildlife, but also our expanded ability to protect them,” says Claire Okell, Founder of The Pangolin Project.
Seasonal patterns do emerge- particularly during school holidays, when spear and arrow injuries often increase, reflecting traditional practices and reduced supervision of youth. But those moments are also opportunities: for education, dialogue, and long-term change.
Crucially, we’re seeing prevention work where habitat protection is already in place.
In areas with signed conservation MoUs or leased forest blocks, incidents of deforestation and wildlife injuries are significantly lower. This tells us something powerful: land security doesn’t just protect trees- it protects lives.
As our de-electrification and secure boma programs continue, we expect this shift from response to prevention to deepen.
This is what it looks like when conservation moves from reactive to resilient. And it’s only possible through long-term investment- in land, people, and partnerships.
Human-Wildlife Conflict: A Growing Tension
In a landscape where hyenas prey on livestock and elephants destroy fences and crops, frustration can lead to retaliation. Livestock loss is not just an economic blow—it is deeply personal for pastoralist families.
That’s why TPP is advocating for secure bomas (reinforced livestock enclosures) as a solution that protects both livelihoods and wildlife. We are also verifying livestock loss reports to ensure fair compensation where available and encouraging habitat restoration as a long-term strategy.
Building Solutions Through Education
Joshua and our community engagement teams are ramping up education campaigns, especially during school holidays. Visiting homesteads, hosting barazas (community meetings), and engaging youth directly, we’re working to reduce the use of arrows and spears.
By nurturing pride in protecting wildlife- and showing how conservation benefits everyone- we are sowing seeds for a safer future for both animals and people.
A Holistic Approach to Conservation
Every pangolin we protect, every habitat we secure, and every wildlife response we support through our partners is part of building a resilient ecosystem. Our approach, grounded in science, community partnership, and rapid field action is designed not just to save animals in crisis, but to create a future where such crises are far less common.
By combining pangolin conservation, biodiversity monitoring, rapid veterinary interventions, and community education, we are creating a virtuous cycle: healthier ecosystems, stronger communities, and safer spaces for all wildlife.
We are not just saving pangolins. We are restoring the balance of an entire landscape.
Join Us: Protect the Nyekweri Wildlife
These life-saving interventions rely on your support. Your donation helps fund emergency response equipment, veterinary supplies, ranger patrols, and education campaigns that are critical to the survival of countless species.
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