Staff Reporter
Communities Urged to Protect Endangered Species
Staff Reporter
Communities must collaborate to protect pangolins, as these creatures hold significant cultural importance and have been regarded as sacred for centuries, Hurungwe District Chief Chundu has said.
He made these remarks ahead of World Pangolin Day, celebrated annually on the third Saturday of February.
First observed in 2012, the event has gained international recognition from animal welfare organizations and individuals worldwide.
Chief Chundu emphasized that pangolins remain underappreciated, underprotected, and are in urgent need of global attention and support. “As traditional leaders we have worked hard to debunk the myth that pangolins possess gold and ensure that our communities are aware of the severe penalties linked to illegal trafficking, hunting and possession of pangolin,” he said.
Wild Africa chief executive Peter Knights said Pangolins play a significant cultural role in our communities and have been considered sacred for centuries.
“Since 2014, pangolins have been the world’s most trafficked mammal, yet they reproduce very slowly and their populations are unknown.
“They remain largely unknown to the public with conservation efforts critically underfunded.
“Many Zimbabweans don’t know what pangolins are, or the laws protecting them, and are unaware that pangolins not only exist in our country but are also rapidly disappearing before our eyes,” he said.
“As traditional leaders we have worked hard to debunk the myth that pangolins possess gold and ensure that our communities are aware of the severe penalties linked to illegal trafficking, hunting and possession of pangolin,” he said.
Wild Africa chief executive officer Peter Knights said Pangolins play a significant cultural role in our communities and have been considered sacred for centuries.
“Since 2014, pangolins have been the world’s most trafficked mammal, yet they reproduce very slowly and their populations are unknown.
“They remain largely unknown to the public with conservation efforts critically underfunded.
“Many Zimbabweans don’t know what pangolins are, or the laws protecting them, and are unaware that pangolins not only exist in our country but are also rapidly disappearing before our eyes,” he said.
