The Pangolin Crisis Fund (PCF) was established in May of 2019 by Save Pangolins in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Network to supply funding to pangolin conservation projects in Africa and Asia. The organizations supported by the PCF advance pangolin rehabilitation, release and conservation and enhance efforts to stop illegal poaching and trade. As the PCF turns one, we’re taking a look back at the building blocks of progress it has made in just one year’s time.
In its inaugural year, the PCF granted $1.3 million dollars towards projects across Africa and Asia. These projects advanced pangolin conservation in a multifaceted way: they investigated high level international wildlife criminals, enforced laws protecting wildlife, launched campaigns to reduce the demand for pangolin products, rescued pangolins from poachers and facilitated their rehabilitation and release, and advanced our ecological knowledge of pangolins to inform future care.
Illegal wildlife trafficking has continued during the global COVID-19 pandemic and pangolins are in a constant state of crisis as all eight species are inching closer to extinction. The PCF has awarded a special $1 million grant to WildAid to launch a public campaign to end the illegal wildlife trade. The PCF is dedicated to advancing programs that make a difference for this wonderfully unique animal.
These are the organizations supported by the Pangolin Crisis Fund so far:
Afrinet: an organization in Nigeria using their grant from the PCF to combat trafficking and build public and political support for pangolin protection.
Endangered Wildlife Trust and APOPO: an organization that is using their grant from the PCF to kickstart a new program training African giant pouched rats to sniff for and detect illegal pangolin shipments. Their goal is to aide authorities and bring an end to poaching and smuggling operations.
Environmental Investigation Agency: with their grant from the PCF investigates illegal trans-national trade and uses the intelligence gathered to improve law enforcement and track down illegal crime syndicates.
Tikki Hywood Foundation: the foundation started out as a rescue and rehabilitation organization, and now with help from PCF funding has expanded to pangolin research and conservation and has broadened its reach to new countries in Africa.
WildAid: aims to stop the demand for illegal wildlife products and with a special grant from the PCF, launched a multifaceted campaign in Asia aimed to reduce demand for all pangolin products including medicines that contain pangolin scales.
Wildlife Justice Commission: receives support from the PCF to investigate the illegal trans-national trade of pangolin products between Africa and Asia.
World Wildlife Fund – Pakistan: uses their grant from the PCF to educate people about pangolins and reverse the general misconception that they are agricultural pests. The program also aims to tackle poaching by creating broader awareness about pangolins and improving law enforcement efforts.
The success of the Pangolin Crisis Fund could not be possible without the generous support of pangolin lovers all over the world. As the PCF enters its second year, it will continue to push the needle forward for pangolin conservation to save all eight species from extinction.
Photo: White-bellied pangolin © Darren Pietersen
