Empowering Communities

as Custodians of Critical Habitats

how we create impact

  • Two children sitting together at a wooden table in a cozy room, working on a laptop with an image of a penguin on the screen. Various SD cards and adapters are scattered around the laptop.

    Monitor pangolins

    Our dedicated monitoring team tracks the elusive Giant Pangolins daily across their 69,000-acre habitat. Using 94 advanced camera traps and detailed patrols, we’ve identified approximately 10 individuals, representing up to 50% of the estimated population in Nyekweri. This monitoring has revealed crucial insights, including seasonal activity peaks and the first recorded sighting of pangolin pups in two years, highlighting the importance of this work for their survival.

  • A person standing next to a large tree in a grassy field, wearing a red and white checkered shirt and red shorts, holding a walking stick, with a background of green trees and a cloudy sky.

    Protect habitat

    We partner with local landowners to protect over 4,000 acres of forest through conditional agreements, with plans to expand to 25,000 acres. These agreements provide incentives to preserve critical habitats, which house not only pangolins but also support rich biodiversity and local climate regulation. So far, we’ve engaged 133 landowners to secure the future of these vital ecosystems

  • Three people crouched on grass outdoors, engaged in a discussion near a wooden post and wire fencing.

    Remove Deadly Fencing

    Deadly electric fences have caused significant pangolin mortality in the past. In response, we’ve worked with 64 households to de-electrify 71 kilometers of fencing. These efforts have already saved lives, including a pregnant pangolin rescued after being caught in a fence. We continue advocating for safer practices to protect both pangolins and other wildlife from these lethal barriers

  • Two men hiking through dense green forest on a sunny day, one carrying a backpack and the other using a machete.

    Patrol Habitat: Rangers

    Our team of 21 trained rangers patrols over 7,700 km of forest annually, responding to wildlife injuries, removing snares, and mitigating human-wildlife conflicts. Since joining in Summer 2024, they’ve recorded wildlife casualties and carried out rescues, saving animals like elephants and zebras from life-threatening situations. These efforts enhance security for all species sharing the pangolins’ habitat.

  • Women in traditional Maasai attire participating in a discussion or meeting inside a wooden structure with a corrugated metal roof.

    Empowering Local Communities

    At the heart of our work is the belief that conservation thrives when communities are involved. We engage directly with local landowners, hosting over 490 household meetings this year alone to foster collaboration and trust. Through initiatives like conditional payment schemes for forest protection and community-led conservation workshops, we empower communities to become stewards of their environment. Together, we’re creating sustainable solutions that benefit both people and wildlife

  • Looking up at tall green trees in a forest with some clouds in the sky.

    Working in partnership

    The Pangolin Project has partnered with Olorien Forest Trust and Kimintet Forest Trust Conservancy to drive habitat protection, address community needs, and foster sustainable conservation.

    “Collaboration truly drives change. Together, we’re proving that when communities lead, conservation thrives.” Big Life Foundation