THE PANGOLIN PROJECT CIO
Trustees’ Annual Report for the period 1[st] July 2020 to 31[st] March 2021
Charity Registration Number 1190187
Objectives
The Pangolin Project CIO was registered as a UK charity on 30[th] June 2020. The object is the advancement of the conservation of the species of wildlife which are in danger of extinction, particularly as this relates to the preservation of the pangolin.
The charity was established to support the work of the Pangolin Project in Kenya. The Pangolin Project was set up in early 2020 and is a company limited by guarantee which is dedicated to the protection of the pangolin and their habitat.
Pangolin are a critically endangered species. They are the most illegally trafficked mammal in the world today. Approximately one million African pangolin were estimated to have been removed from the wild between 2010 – 2013 and illicitly traded internationally for their scales and their meat. 99% of the market for pangolin is in China. There was an even larger trade from the population in East Asia. The illegal trade in Kenya is conducted largely through Mombassa and J.K. airport in Nairobi.
There was little public awareness of the pangolin until comparatively recently and little is known about it. The pangolin is a solitary, nocturnal mammal. It is shy and poses no risk to either humans or their livelihoods. It eats only ants or termites. It does not attack other animals. Its own defence mechanism is to curl up in a ball, making it easy prey for poachers who can remove it in a bag, leaving no trace of the interception. Notwithstanding its totally harmless nature the pangolin is regarded in some rural areas with fear and superstition. In other areas it is valued for its contribution to traditional medicine. Alongside illegal poaching it can therefore be subject to killing through ignorance.
The Pangolin Project was set up with four initial objectives:
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To build knowledge and awareness
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To establish a network of monitors to collate information
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To identify proven protection strategies
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To develop protocols to respond to reports regarding illegal activity.
Activities
The initial focus of the Pangolin Project has been on monitoring and conservation research. Little is known of the size of the pangolin population in Kenya or its activities. A programme was set up in the Masai Mara National Reserve to estimate the population in one area. All burrows were located over a 8km square area. Burrowscopes were installed. Tags have been applied to animals located with the aim of tracking them for a period of two years. There is no blueprint for this work. The Pangolin Project coordinates with the veterinary and research teams of the Kenya Wildlife Service.
A subsequent focus was on creating awareness and building understanding in the local population. The Pangolin Project has carried out 41 trainings with 595 rangers, intelligence and investigation officers. The trainings were also used to identify challenges to pangolin protection and how ranger activities can be adapted to improve pangolin protection. 5 community ambassador schemes have been set up. These ambassadors work with local leaders and community members to deliver key messages and act as first responders to pangolin sightings. The ambassadors record details of location, activities, deaths and any sighting of scales. In 2020 – 2021 there were over 70 sightings reported to the Pangolin ambassadors. The Pangolin Project now has 2 consultants working on data analysis. It has use of an electronic data collection platform. Data received is entered and reports on sightings, distribution and behaviour are generated.
Over the year the programmes were extended to areas in Tsavo and West Pokot.
As a result of the work of the Pangolin Project there has been an increase in the number of arrests for pangolin related incidents.
In Tsavo Conservation Area there were four arrests for poaching of pangolin and trade of scales in one month. In Narok County there was a rapid increase in reports of community members selling pangolin. Three individuals were arrested and a live pangolin was intercepted and later relocated by TPP team.
Strategy for 2021 – 2022
The Pangolin Project is focussing efforts to protect all pangolin individuals in the habitats they remain in. The work will be focussed on three key programmes:
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Pangolin Protection Units.
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These units will work to monitor all individual pangolins in their operational areas and ensure their whereabouts on a daily basis. The existing research base and team will be converted into the first Pangolin Guardian Base and this model will be replicated in three priority areas of the Greater Mara Ecosystem
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The Pangolin Knowledge and Tech. Hub. This Hub will address the deficiencies in knowledge and the technological challenges which inhibit pangolin protection. This will include improving detection of pangolin and state of the art tagging devices.
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A Pangolin Veterinary and Rehabilitation Unit. This will be developed to lead veterinary care and rehabilitation for
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pangolins intercepted from the illegal trade.
Financial Structure
The Pangolin Project in Kenya was founded by Dr Claire Okell who is the director and operations manager. The company currently has a total of 13 employees and a number of community volunteers. It has an advisory board of five members who meet every quarter.
The work of the Pangolin Project has been funded directly by five major donors. The company reports directly to each
individual donor. It is anticipated that some of this funding will in future be channelled through the UK charity. The Kenyan company has a dedicated Administration and Finance officer. All activities and programmes of the company are planned and budgeted by the programme or activity leads. The budgets are approved by the director. Requests for funding are to be submitted to the trustees of the UK charity together with the detailed budgets. The requests will be scrutinised by the UK trustees for compliance with charitable purposes and public benefit. If approved funds will be released to the company in Kenya. All funds spent will be receipted back against the activities within the original budget.
30[th] June 2020 – 31[st] March 2021
The Pangolin Project CIO set up a charity bank account in November 2020. It received two individual donations into the account totalling £3,000. The balance of the account at 31[st] March 2021 was £2,976.
The charity did not receive requests for funding from the Pangolin Project during the relevant period.
Donations and grants have been received by the charity since April 2021 which will be applied as above.
Trustees
Rowena Okell
Katie Hamilton
James McIntosh
Bank
CAF Bank Ltd
25 Kings Hill Avenue
Kings Hill
West Malling
Kent ME19 4JQ
Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:
Rowena Okell 01/01/22
Katie Hamilton 05/01/22 James McIntosh 07/01/22
THE PANGOLIN PROJECT CIO
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT 30[TH] JUNE 2020 – 31[ST] MARCH 2021
The Pangolin Project CIO was registered as a UK charity on 30[th] June 2020. It established a bank account with CAF Bank on 24[th] November 2020. The end of the accounting year is 31[st] March.
Receipts Payments
Donations £3,000.00 Bank charges £ 24.00 (24/11/20 - £1,000, 16/03/21 - £2,000) ( 3 x £8, Jan – March 2021)
Total £ 24.00
£3,000.00
Surplus for the year: £2,976.00 Agreed by the Trustees: 27/08/21