Research
The APWG has a well-established research pedigree. From the beginning, the organisation’s consummate association with research was developed by Professor Ray Jansen. Presently, Dr Sean Heighton (APWG board member) manages our organisation’s Science and Research Portfolio. We believe in making conservation decisions for pangolins based on sound evidence and science. The APWG will continue investing in research and tomorrow’s pangolin research experts.
Current Research
Publications
Dissertations & Theses
We have co-authored the revision of the conservation status of the Temminck’s ground pangolin in South Africa (published in 2016) as well as the conservation status evaluation of the Temminck’s ground pangolin and white-bellied tree pangolin for the IUCN red list species evaluation, published in 2019. APWG individuals have authored and co-authored chapters in the seminal book ‘Pangolins – Science, Society and Conservation’, as well as contributed to the ‘Guidance for first responders on the short-term care of confiscated pangolins” prepared by the IUCN SSG.
Effective pangolin conservation is not only related to the species but also to the communities of people that share this illusive and understudied animal’s habitat. As such, it is critically important to investigate the cultural belief systems associated with these animals within the often very rural and impoverished African communities. Often pangolins are harvested for cultural or traditional beliefs, used as some form of remedy and simply as a source of protein in the bush meat trade. We pride ourselves in contributing to this form of research in Africa.
