The impact of our work extends far beyond protecting pangolins - it safeguards one of the most biodiverse regions in the Mara Ecosystem and preserves its critical role in local climate regulation. Through our expanded efforts in Nyekweri Forest, The Pangolin Project is securing and restoring 25,000 acres of vital habitat, addressing threats like deforestation and electric fencing, and empowering a community-led conservation model. Together, we are creating a sanctuary for the Giant Pangolin and countless other species while ensuring a legacy of resilience and biodiversity for generations to come.
We have reduced deforestation across the area
With only 10% of the forest remaining, The Pangolin Project has acted rapidly and dynamically to halt deforestation in the area, achieving the following since December 2023:
5443 acres of forest protected. Today, 5443 acres of forest are protected under a conditional payment scheme (MoU) or Lo between The Pangolin Project, Community Conservancy and over 133 landowners. This number grows each day, and as a result, deforestation has slowed.
Community ownership for landscape protection is strengthening. As of November 2025, 92% of land in priority 5000 HA is in a new lease agreement. Our Mous show that with appropriate and competitive financial compensation, and other benefits, landowners are willing to engage with conservation as an alternative use of their land.
Electricity removed from 72km of fencing resulting in reduced Giant Pangolin deaths. Before The Pangolin Project intervened, it was estimated 1 - 2 Giant Pangolin were being killed by electric fences each month.
Take a look at our latest impact report!
Coming soon! December 2024
Continued monitoring of the last Giant Pangolin in Kenya shows they are still breeding
Increase in monitoring capacity, identification of individuals and behavioural insights. Over the past year, we have significantly expanded the use of camera traps, increasing the number from 30 to 112. These cameras are now actively monitoring Giant Pangolins across seven distinct areas within the ecosystem. The monitoring team sees and monitors between 3 – 10 individuals known to them every month. Plus, the community are well versed in calling us out if they see a pangolin too, with 10 call outs recorded in 2024.
We believe we are currently monitoring approximately 10 individuals. This is based on behavioural knowledge, individual estimates, and the fact that we have recorded multiple animals on the same night in widely separated locations. This number likely represents 25% to 30% of the total population, which we estimate to be between 20 and 34 individuals. in 2024 we recorded 408 GGPs on video from our camera trap network.
Activity data reveals a notable increase in Giant Pangolin movements during March and July, with individuals frequenting more burrows. The camera traps have captured more footage during these periods, showing the pangolins moving in and out of burrows and using them for scent marking. These patterns align with similar observations of Temminck’s Ground Pangolin in the Maasai Mara National Reserve and are likely linked to the breeding and pupping seasons.
The Giant Pangolins are reproducing! Two pangolin pups were seen in July 2024 and the same again in 2025 – this marks the first time in 2 years the team have captured any pups on camera trap (although one was sadly killed by a honey badger in 2024). This is a beacon of hope and promising for the viability of the population in the area. See footage of pup in 2024. See footage for 2025 here
Pangolin and her pup captured on a camera trap in October 2024
Get access to exclusive Nyekweri wildlife footage and expert educational insights. From Pangolins to Leopards. Explore the incredible behaviours of animals that YOU are helping to protect!
We are building consensus-based community conservation for sustainable protection and restoration in Nyekweri
Working with community conservancies. The Pangolin Project has partnered with Olorien Forest Trust and Kimintet Forest Trust Conservancy to catalyse habitat protection, meet the needs of community members and build consensus-based community conservation for sustainable protection of the area. We also work with 2 other conservancies in the Nyekweri ecosystem: Maasai Moran Forest Trust and the Oloisikut Conservancy.
Community-Led Conservation for a Thriving Future. Governance and management of the area are critical to ensure the achievement of conservation goals, landowner compliance, and improved security for natural resources. However, the success of the conservancy model is not possible without a fair and inclusive process that considers the needs of those living alongside wildlife and the habitat we aim to protect. In July, The Pangolin Project partnered with Legado, an international NGO, to help the community define their "Thriving Future". Together, we led an inclusive process of meetings, with discussions split among women, men, and youth, to establish community-determined priorities for both human and environmental well-being.
Women are part of the change. In these meetings, for the very first time in conservation, women community leaders are participating and asked to share their views. Their voices revealed deep insights: they spoke of dried-up streams, vanishing bees, and disappearing traditional herbs, all linked to deforestation. There was a sense of regret, but also a newfound determination to restore what was lost. These women are now empowered to speak up, knowing their opinions matter and are being heard.
The community trusts and respects The Pangolin Project. This has been largely unheard of in the area where a number of external partners have held meetings but not actioned any plans. The Pangolin Project has built trust with the community and leadership within the area by demonstrating that the project “said and did” what it set out to do with the conditional payment schemes.
Women from Saparingo Village holds up a picture of a pangolin at a community workshop in the Saparingo area | Roshni Lodhia
We have increased the protection of wildlife and natural resources in Nyekweri
21 community conservancy rangers contracted. In July 2024, The Pangolin Project contracted 21 community conservancy rangers to carry out daily patrols and monitor and protect wildlife, natural resource damage and human wildlife conflict in Nyekweri. As a result of extra presence, wildlife casualties are quickly identified and, working in partnership with Kenya Wildlife Service, we have been able to mobilise vital veterinary support. Ranger foot patrol coverage in 2025 has already exceeded the total recorded in 2024, reflecting increased efforts to secure natural resources in Nyekweri.
In 2025 the number of wildlife injuries and deaths in the area is comparatively higher than in 2024. The effort level of the ranger team has increased in 2025, suggesting that part of this may be explained by a reporting bias. The predominant species affected are zebra and giraffe accounting for 90% of injured wildlife and 50% of wildlife deaths.
Building partnerships with Kenya Wildlife Service. We are working with Kenya Wildlife Service to build protection of natural resources in Nyekweri. In October 2024, Kenya Wildlife Service launched the National Action and Recovery Plan for Pangolin in Kenya raising their profile and providing a framework for working together.
The blue outline is the ‘Proposed site of 10,000 HA (25,000 acre) Sanctuary’. The yellow outline is the initial priority area that we aim to secure in 2025.