Pangolin Foundation opens new research station in Nyae Nyae Conservancy
The Pangolin Conservation and Research Foundation (PCRF) inaugurated its new research station in the Nyae Nyae Conservancy in northern Namibia over the weekend.The foundation, led by biologist Kelsey Prediger, wants to expand its pangolin project in the protected area to find out more about the endangered but so far little researched animals and to protect them.
Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals in the world and are considered critically endangered. Their scales, used as a medical panacea in China and Vietnam, are worth thousands of dollars on the black market. In Namibia, too, the Ministry of the Environment repeatedly records cases of poaching and live trafficking. Despite the enormous danger of dying out, little is known about these seemingly prehistoric animals. There is not even an estimate of their number in Namibia.
The PCRF now wants to change that: The foundation is committed to research and protection programmes for this valuable animal. In the Nyae Nyae Conservancy, Prediger works with the local San community and has hired rangers from the Ju/'Huansi tribe.
With the help of generous supporters, sponsors and local workers, the PCRF was able to build the research station in just a few weeks - even though a road and water and power lines still need to be laid in the extremely remote area.
“The opening of our research station is a milestone for our work in Nyae Nyae as well as for the research and rescue of Namibian pangolins,” said Jessie Schrauger of the PCRF.