Giant Ground Pangolin - Credit Will Burrard

We recently engaged a targeted media list of reporters from five leading Kenya outlets to bring the plight of the pangolin to print.

During a recent press visit Tusk partner The Pangolin Project outlined how community-led conservation is leading the way in protecting the giant ground pangolin at the Masai Mara.

The pangolin is one of the most trafficked animals in the world, predominantly due to their scales which are used for medicinal purposes in some parts of the world. It is estimated that fewer than 30 giant ground pangolins remain in the Nyekweri Forest, a critical stronghold for the species in Kenya. Alarmingly though, around 80% of the forest has been lost to agricultural expansion, charcoal burning and land subdivision since 2010, reducing the pangolins habitat to a fraction of its former size.

We engaged a targeted media list of reporters from five leading Kenya outlets: Daily Nation, NTV, The Star, The Standard, and People Daily to bring the plight of the pangolin to print. To coincide with World Pangolin Day on February 21st, journalists from each outlet experiencing how The Pangolin Project operate to support and protect the last remaining pangolin population.

During the visit, reporters interviewed conservationists and rangers at The Pangolin Project, the Kenya Wildlife Service Maasai Mara Area Warden, and community members involved in the pangolin protection programme. They also participated in a night visit to observe the tagging of giant pangolins.

The importance of local coverage and support is key in supporting community-led conservation and we are always looking at further opportunities for press visits to highlight and experience the hands on nature of our partners daily work.