Exploitation of Pangolins (Pholidota, Mammalia) by Communities Living in and around the Tayna Nature Reserve (RNT) North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Abstract

Pangolin exploitation has recently increased in diverse forms such as bushmeat consumption; species or parts trade, medical use. This species is protected in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and worldwide, unfortunately it is threatened by numerous human actions. The purpose of this study was to determine the profiles of actors using pangolins, the reasons for pangolin exploitation and its products and their use within the local community in and surrounding the reserve. We carried out surveys in the households of hunters, farmers and people practicing other professions in 12 villages, located within the Tayna Nature Reserve (RNT) and surroundings areas. Two interview techniques were used: the individual interview and the participatory diagnostic technique. During one month of data collection, 175 respondents were interviewed. Respondents had diverse profiles according to sex, age, education level and ethnicity. Men were more represented as actors in pangolin exploitation (71.70%) than women (28.30%); the most represented age interval was 20-30 years. The education level is distinct amongst respondents: illiterate (37%), primary school (32.4%) and graduate from university (2.9%). An average number of respondents are motivated to consume pangolin as meat obtained by hunting at 50%. The main reason for its consumption is preference (44%) and habit (33%). The scales are pangolin derivatives most recognized by local people and widely used in the pharmacopoeia. Consequently,

Ethnozoological and commercial drivers of the pangolin trade in Benin

“…This is likely because (i) this region has been colonized by ethnic groups from different origins with socio-linguistic divergences [34,35] and (ii) the TMM network is almost inexistent, thus preventing from any diffusion of a dominant pangolin name. Pangolins are used for food, medicinal and spiritual purposes in Benin, in line with the literature record for tropical Africa [21,22,[36][37][38][39][40][41]. More specifically, pangolins in Benin constitute at the same time a bushmeat resource and an important input to traditional medicine and cultural practices [24].…”

Local Perception on the Exploitation, the Current State and Taboos Related to Pangolins (Pholidota, Mammalia) by the Communities Living in the Tayna Nature Reserve and Its Surroundings (RNT) North Kivu DRC

“…In Tayna, pangolins were collected from the wild for bushmeat and cultural purposes, including traditional medicine (Malimbo et al, 2020). For the commercial exploitation of pangolin and its derivatives in our study area by people from elsewhere, that the population of Tayna and its surroundings are less familiar with the outside world.…”

“…They are also used in rituals, art, and magic between communities across Africa (Soewu & Sodeinde, 2015) and Asia (Mahmood et al, 2012). The scales covering the dorsum, flanks, tail and which make them appear like a reptile are one of the principal reasons for their high exploitation (Malimbo et al, 2020). This has led to a population decline in Asia (Wu et al, 2004), an increasing risk of extinction in Africa and Asia (Waterman et al, 2014), and pangolins being considered a group of trafficked wild mammals.…”

“…There is a lack of knowledge about the fate of the "pangolins" in the Democratic Republic of Congo, millions of which are exploited every year. In the RNT, pangolins are exploited and hunted for their meat and scales without regard to their conservation status, which negatively influences their current population state (Malimbo et al, 2020). It is in this context of unsustainable exploitation of wildlife resources in general and those protected in this case the pangolins that we conduct a local perception on the exploitation, current state and taboos related to pangolins by the inhabitants of the RNT and its surroundings.…”

A case study of improved cook stoves in primate conservation from Democratic Republic of Congo

“…Formal on‐the‐ground monitoring and protection have not been in place since 2008, meaning RNT has been vulnerable to anthropogenic pressures. Illegal hunting of wildlife for meat and traditional medicines is known within the reserve (Malimbo et al, 2020), and great apes have been targeted as recently as 2019 (RNT staff, personal communication to J. K. Mbeke, 2019). A recent analysis of satellite imagery from 2008 to 2018 indicates that while forest cover inside RNT has remained relatively intact, significant forest loss and disturbance has occurred outside the reserve and is advancing toward it, particularly along the eastern boundary where most people live (K. Fawcett, personal communication, 2020; GRACE, unpublished data).…”