Namibian Pangolin Working Group

About NPWG

NPWG logoThe Namibian Pangolin Working Group (NPWG) was established in April 2020 as a collaborative effort between the Namibian government and non-governmental partners in response to the increasing threats faced by pangolins (Temminck's ground pangolin Smutsia temminckii) in Namibia.

The current priorities of the NPWG are to:

  • Develop and implement a concise National Conservation Management Plan for pangolin;
  • Prepare and implement guidelines and protocols for the handling of confiscated pangolins by first responders, getting them quickly into rehabilitation and veterinary care, and the procedures for selecting good release sites;
  • Guide priority research to better understand key areas specifically related to pangolin conservation, diet, status and release;
  • Raise awareness and help educate target groups about pangolins, particularly their ecological role and importance to ecosystem functioning;
  • Promote international collaboration and information sharing.

The NPWG is supported financially through the Namibian Chamber of Environment (NCE). Because all of NCE’s administrative costs are fully covered by our sponsors in the Namibian corporate sector, 100% of all donations received via Give Today will go directly to the NPWG for pangolin conservation.

The NCE further administers a cash reward scheme for any information leading to the arrest of pangolin traffickers or seizure of pangolin parts. This reward scheme has led to more than 100 arrests, the confiscation of more than 50 live pangolins that were rehabilitated and released, and information on the criminal networks involved in illegal pangolin trade.