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 make, every community meeting we host, and every injured animal we help is part of restoring the health of an entire ecosystem.
In 2025 alone, we have already recorded 29 wildlife injuries between January and March - almost matching the total number recorded across all of 2024. From snares and arrow wounds to habitat loss, the pressures facing wildlife in the Nyekweri Ecosystem are growing – and so is our response.
Joshua: A Lifeline for Injured Wildlife
Joshua, our Wildlife Health Technician, embodies TPP’s holistic conservation approach. His work bridges pangolin conservation, wildlife monitoring, and emergency interventions for injured animals, working closely with Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and local veterinarians.
In just one day over Easter, 2025, Joshua:
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.
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.
Why Are Injuries Increasing?
Wildlife injuries often spike during school holidays when traditional practices- such as spear or arrow hunting- can re-emerge among unsupervised youth. Over 30 cases of livestock loss are now being reported monthly, leading to retaliatory actions against predators and accidental harm to other wildlife.
But there’s another important factor at play:
We are now seeing and responding to more cases because we have expanded our field presence.
In Summer 2024, The Pangolin Project grew its on-the-ground capacity by employing 21 community conservancy rangers. With more eyes, ears, and boots across the Nyekweri ecosystem, our teams are detecting and responding to injuries faster than ever before.
"The increase in recorded incidents reflects not just rising pressures on wildlife, but also our expanded ability to protect them," says Claire, founder and CEO of TPP.
Our monitoring reveals a clear pattern: injuries from spears, arrows, and snares particularly rise during school holidays, highlighting the urgent need for targeted education and prevention efforts.
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 wildlife rescue Joshua and the TPP team undertakes is more than an isolated incident- it’s part of building a resilient ecosystem.
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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💬 What do you think is the most urgent solution to human-wildlife conflict? Share your thoughts below!