THF talks to the ZPGA about Pangolins
We would all love to see a pangolin in the wild. Due to their elusive nature, very few people have the privilege of ever sighting a pangolin in the wild. However, the more time you spend in the bush the greater your chances. So many people in the tourism industry have had the privilege, over the years, of seeing a pangolin. But what should you do when you see a pangolin? Pangolins are seen so rarely that there are no guidelines for viewing them, unlike many larger animals.
With this in mind, two members of Tikki Hywood Foundation presented on Pangolins to the Zimbabwe Professional Guides Association (ZPGA) in Harare on the 9th of February 2024. During this talk, Ellen and Cara explained about the characteristics of these incredible animals as well as how they earned the title of the world’s most trafficked mammals, before delving into the ethics surrounding viewing pangolins in the wild.
Here are a few of our suggestions for the next time you are lucky enough to see a wild pangolin:
- Do not pick the pangolin up to them they are being attacked by a predator.
- Stay a respectful distance away from the animal
Watch their natural behaviors- it’s a privilege
- Keep noise levels down- Pangolins are very sensitive to loud noises
- When viewing at night, do not shine lights directly onto the Pangolin.
- If you have a red light rather use that.
- Enjoy the experience and take photos- From a distance.
- Tell us- We love hearing about your sightings!
The talk was well-attended, with an engaging audience of approximately 30 people who had some fantastic pangolin questions and tales to tell us. We would like to extend our gratitude to ZPGA for organizing the evening and Armadale Lodge for hosting.
