Scaling Up Pangolin Conservation in Ghana

Pangolins are the most illegally hunted and traded wild mammals globally and all species of pangolins are globally threatened with extinction (IUCN, 2021). The Wildlife Conservation Act 1971 classifies them as Schedule 1 and this prohibits their hunting or possession. Despite their conservation and protection status, pangolins are still being severely hunted in Ghana and the law regarding the protection of the species is not enforced. This significantly drives the species’ illicit hunting and trade. Funded by the Pangolin Crisis Fund, this project aims to map pangolins’ threat hotspots as well as market and trade dynamics using SMART application. This will allow stakeholders to target anti-poaching law enforcement in areas where they are most needed.