The Environment and Community Development Association, ECoDAs has celebrated the 2024 World Pangolin Day in Nzobi village, Banyue Cluster of the Bayang Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary, BMWS.
The event that took place on February 17, 2024 in Nzobi village, brought together participants from Nzobi, Ediengo, Bomen, Essimen, Njuinyue and Nloh villages, under ECoDAs’ theme; “United Against the Extinction of Pangolins and other Endangered Species.”
Speaking at the ceremony, the Founder and CEO of ECoDAs, Tansi Godwill Tansi disclosed that pangolins are under threat worldwide and remains a delicacy in local communities in Cameroon and beyond.
He said Poachers are used to waiting for nightfall to hike into the forest in search of pangolins, ignoring the poaching ban on pangolins and other endangered species.
Tansi lamented that one of the many myths that lead people to killing pangolins is that their scales, when mixed with bark from certain trees, will neutralize witchcraft and evil spirits.
He said it is for this reason that ECoDAs and partners are determined to save pangolins from extinction.
The CEO said World Pangolin Day was therefore ECoDAs biggest chance to reach many new pangolin guardians in the BMWS.
The Wildlife Conservation Volunteer of ECoDAs, Bakia Lucas Enow, sensitized that pangolins are the world’s most trafficked mammals, with more than a million pangolins trafficked in the last decade. He said this is a staggering number for a species that most people have never heard or seen.
Bakia cautioned that is not too late as there is still a chance to save pangolins if they act wisely. He said BMWS is termed paradise of pangolins because it inhabits three out of the four species found in Africa. “We should therefore protect pangolins for future generation.
Nguty Henry, one of ECoDAs’ team members also highlighted that extinction is forever, and it is their duty and responsibility to make sure that pangolins do not become a myth in storybooks. He called on communities to join ECoDAs and partners in protecting these unique mammals.
Participants React
In reaction, Ekole David, one of the participants, admitted that he has learned a lot from the event.
“One of the most important things I learned is that pangolins consume large number of ants and also help aerate our soil, thus improving the income of farmers.”
John (elite) from Njuinyue village was also grateful to the ECoDAs team; “I am very happy to learn why some animal species are highly protected like pangolins, chimpanzees, elephants.”
Other participants thanked ECoDAs for the event and promised to protect pangolins and other endangered species like elephants and chimpanzees.
The event was organized by ECoDAs-Cameroon in collaboration with partners such as Banyang-Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary, Programme for Sustainable Management of Natural Resources. South West Region, PSMNR-SWR, International Elephant Foundation (IEF), Small Scale Initiatives of the French Committee of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and a host of other partners.
By Olive Ejang
