How do human perceptions pose threats and shape conservation options for Temminck’s pangolin (Smutsia temminckii)?
Temminck’s pangolin, Smutsia temminckii (Smuts, 1832) is a threatened but protected species in Zimbabwe whose population is declining, ostensibly, due to poaching and persecution by humans. Inasmuch as the human factor is a critical dimension in Temminck’s pangolin population dynamics, there are few...
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Taylor & Francis Group
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Sustainable Environment |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/27658511.2024.2391131 |
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| author | Kelly Sabashau Beaven Utete |
| author_facet | Kelly Sabashau Beaven Utete |
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| description | Temminck’s pangolin, Smutsia temminckii (Smuts, 1832) is a threatened but protected species in Zimbabwe whose population is declining, ostensibly, due to poaching and persecution by humans. Inasmuch as the human factor is a critical dimension in Temminck’s pangolin population dynamics, there are few studies documenting local perceptions on conservation threats and options for the species in Zimbabwe. The study aimed to (a) assess the conservation perceptions of local fringe communities and (b) explore existing and potential conservation options for Temminck’s pangolin in Hwange National Park (HNP) in Zimbabwe. Data on local perceptions towards Temminck’s pangolin were collected through a questionnaire survey from May to December 2021, delving across cultural, political, economic, and social aspects in HNP. Poaching and trafficking, spurred by lucrative market prices and frivolous superstitious cultural beliefs and myths associated with the species and its by-products, are the apex drivers for Temminck’s pangolin dynamics in HNP. Climate change and habitat degradation mostly by African savanna elephants also affect Temminck’s pangolin populations in the HNP. A multifaceted conservation approach integrating indigenous knowledge systems, citizen science data, active community involvement, modern conservation methods, and a zero pangolin poaching policy in HNP is imperative for Temminck’s pangolin conservation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0eea4f9ccf2049ec9ebc9af708e97991 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2765-8511 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sustainable Environment |
| spelling | doaj-art-0eea4f9ccf2049ec9ebc9af708e979912025-08-20T02:34:06ZengTaylor & Francis GroupSustainable Environment2765-85112024-12-0110110.1080/27658511.2024.2391131How do human perceptions pose threats and shape conservation options for Temminck’s pangolin (Smutsia temminckii)?Kelly Sabashau0Beaven Utete1Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Chinhoyi, ZimbabweDepartment of Freshwater and Fishery Science, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Chinhoyi, ZimbabweTemminck’s pangolin, Smutsia temminckii (Smuts, 1832) is a threatened but protected species in Zimbabwe whose population is declining, ostensibly, due to poaching and persecution by humans. Inasmuch as the human factor is a critical dimension in Temminck’s pangolin population dynamics, there are few studies documenting local perceptions on conservation threats and options for the species in Zimbabwe. The study aimed to (a) assess the conservation perceptions of local fringe communities and (b) explore existing and potential conservation options for Temminck’s pangolin in Hwange National Park (HNP) in Zimbabwe. Data on local perceptions towards Temminck’s pangolin were collected through a questionnaire survey from May to December 2021, delving across cultural, political, economic, and social aspects in HNP. Poaching and trafficking, spurred by lucrative market prices and frivolous superstitious cultural beliefs and myths associated with the species and its by-products, are the apex drivers for Temminck’s pangolin dynamics in HNP. Climate change and habitat degradation mostly by African savanna elephants also affect Temminck’s pangolin populations in the HNP. A multifaceted conservation approach integrating indigenous knowledge systems, citizen science data, active community involvement, modern conservation methods, and a zero pangolin poaching policy in HNP is imperative for Temminck’s pangolin conservation.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/27658511.2024.2391131Citizen scienceground pangolinssociocultural beliefsconservationZimbabwe |
| spellingShingle | Kelly Sabashau Beaven Utete How do human perceptions pose threats and shape conservation options for Temminck’s pangolin (Smutsia temminckii)? Sustainable Environment Citizen science ground pangolins sociocultural beliefs conservation Zimbabwe |
| title | How do human perceptions pose threats and shape conservation options for Temminck’s pangolin (Smutsia temminckii)? |
| title_full | How do human perceptions pose threats and shape conservation options for Temminck’s pangolin (Smutsia temminckii)? |
| title_fullStr | How do human perceptions pose threats and shape conservation options for Temminck’s pangolin (Smutsia temminckii)? |
| title_full_unstemmed | How do human perceptions pose threats and shape conservation options for Temminck’s pangolin (Smutsia temminckii)? |
| title_short | How do human perceptions pose threats and shape conservation options for Temminck’s pangolin (Smutsia temminckii)? |
| title_sort | how do human perceptions pose threats and shape conservation options for temminck s pangolin smutsia temminckii |
| topic | Citizen science ground pangolins sociocultural beliefs conservation Zimbabwe |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/27658511.2024.2391131 |
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