IUCN SSC Specialist Group

2018 Report

Dan Challender

Chair Mission statement Plan Dan Challender (1) To work within the framework of the IUCN SSC Planning: (1) hold workshop to develop a to secure a future for wild through regional conservation strategy for the ( javanica); (2) hold workshop Red List Authority Coordinator advancing knowledge on pangolin status, threats and conservation priorities, and by cata- to develop a national conservation strategy for Carly Waterman (2) lysing action to conserve them. the Philippine Pangolin (Manis culionensis) in the ; (3) hold workshop to develop a Location/Affiliation national conservation strategy for the Chinese Projected impact for the 2017-2020 Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) in Taiwan; (4) (1) Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, quadrennium Oxford, UK hold workshop to develop a national conserva- By 2020, subject to secured resources, we envi- tion strategy for the Sunda Pangolin in Singa- (2) Zoological Society of London, London, UK sion publication of updated assessments for pore; (5) hold workshops to develop regional each of pangolin on The IUCN Red List conservation strategies for pangolins; (6) hold Number of members and a greater number of conservation strate- workshops to develop national conservation 110 gies for pangolins developed at the national and strategies for pangolins. regional level, to complement global conserva- Policy: (1) completion of authoritative report tion planning and guide investment in reducing Social networks on the status, trade, conservation and legisla- the extinction risk to pangolins. The Pangolin tion affording protection to pangolins for the Facebook: Specialist Group will be a global hub of knowl- 69th meeting of the CITES Standing Committee IUCN Pangolin Specialist Group edge and best practice on pangolins and their (CITES SC69); (2) contribute scientific and tech- conservation, including the rehabilitation of Instagram: nical expertise to CITES meetings. pangolinsg trade-confiscated pangolins and applicable Act ecological monitoring methods. It will continue Twitter: to provide technical and scientific expertise Scientific meetings: hold workshop to deter- @PangolinSG to CITES, having developed a mine most appropriate methods for detecting Website: resource kit to assist countries in combating and monitoring pangolin populations. https://www.pangolinsg.org/ illegal trade in pangolins and their parts. We Technical advice: (1) provide technical support YouTube: envision a larger, more diverse, proactive to implementation of existing national/regional IUCN Pangolin Specialist Group membership that readily collaborates with other strategies; (2) develop a pangolin trade resource stakeholders and communicates effectively kit for CITES parties; (3) provide technical advice internally and externally with diverse audiences. on rehabilitation and husbandry of pangolins; (4) provide technical advice on methods for Targets for the 2017-2020 quadrennium detecting and monitoring pangolin populations to key stakeholders; (5) provide technical guid- Assess ance on collecting, storing and transporting Red List: re-assess all species of pangolin for samples for genetic analyses; (6) serve as a hub the IUCN Red List. of knowledge and best practice on pangolin Research activities: (1) research papers conservation. published on most suitable methods for moni- toring wild pangolin populations; (2) research to investigate the impact of pangolin farming on demand and wild populations. Endangered Manis crassicaudata Endangered White-bellied Pangolin tricuspis Photo: Gerald Cubitt Photo: Hugues Akpona

Network Research activities Policy Membership: increase membership of the i. Two out of three peer-reviewed papers on i. Report on the status, trade, conservation group to include at least one individual from pangolin monitoring have been published, with and legislation affording protection to pango- each range state. a third due for submission to the Special Issue lins for CITES SC69 is being prepared, and will Proposal development and funding: secure of Global Ecology and Conservation on pango- be completed in time for the 18th meeting of finances to support Pangolin Specialist Group lins in spring 2019. (KSR #27) the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CITES priorities and conservation work. ii. A peer-reviewed paper on pangolin farming CoP18). (KSR #26) Synergy: build relationships with range state has been accepted for publication in Global ii. The Specialist Group continues to provide governments. Ecology and Conservation subject to minor revi- technical advice to CITES on pangolin trade and sions. It will be published in summer 2019. Other conservation. (KSR #26) Communicate research is planned as well. (KSR #32) Communication: (1) develop position state- Act ments on key issues facing pangolins; (2) Plan Scientific meetings communicate the Pangolin Specialist Group’s Planning i. Workshop to determine most appropriate conservation work through strategic and i. Workshop to develop a regional conserva- methods for detecting and monitoring pangolin targeted communication; (3) document and tion strategy for the Sunda Pangolin completed. populations held and guidance prepared for communicate successful local community Strategy to be published in summer 2019. (KSR publication. Guidance will be launched in engagement case studies to catalyse such #15) summer 2019. (KSR #27) engagement in other places; (4) document and ii. Workshop to develop a national conservation Technical advice communicate successful law enforcement strategy for the Philippine Pangolin in the Phil- i. The Specialist Group and its members provide effort through case studies; (5) develop educa- ippines completed. Strategy to be published in advice to implementation of existing national/ tional resource packs to educate and inspire summer 2019. (KSR #15) regional strategies as needed (ongoing). young people about pangolin conservation; iii. Workshop to develop a national conserva- (KSR #18) and (6) maintain and enhance where possible tion strategy for the in Taiwan ii. The pangolin trade resource kit for CITES communications with members, donors and completed. Strategy to be published in summer parties is in development. The intention is to other key stakeholders. 2019. (KSR #15) complete it by September 2019. (KSR #27) Scientific meetings: convene Pangolin Specialist iv. Workshop to develop a national conserva- iii. The Chair, Programme Officer and members Group members to strengthen the network. tion strategy for the Sunda Pangolin in Singapore respond to queries on rehabilitation and completed. Strategy now published. (KSR #15) husbandry of pangolins when they come in Activities and results 2018 v. We have secured funds for Specialist Group (ongoing). (KSR #27) Assess member Keri Parker to develop an internal iv. The Chair, Programme Officer and members Red List strategy for the Specialist Group for future respond to queries on methods for detecting i. We have held meetings to re-assess all eight conservation strategy development. This will be and monitoring pangolin populations when they species for the Red List. We will be submitting complete by September 2019. (KSR #15) come in (ongoing). (KSR #27) the assessments to the IUCN Red List Unit for inclusion in a 2019 update of the Red List. (KSR #2) Al Davies presenting feedback on monitoring options for the Vulnerable Black-bellied Pangolin (Phataginus tetradactyla) Photo: Dan Challender

Participants of the ecological monitoring workshop held in summer 2018 Photo: Dan Challender v. A document has been drafted on collecting, ii. The conservation work with the Pangolin Summary of activities 2018 storing and transporting samples for genetic Specialist Group is being communicated. The Species Conservation Cycle ratio: 5/5 analyses by Specialist Group member Antoi- group will shortly be publishing a range of prod- Assess 3 ||| nette Kotze, but is in need of review ahead of ucts including two conservation strategies, finalisation. (KSR #27) guidance on ecological monitoring and peer-re- Plan 7 ||||||| vi. The Specialist Group continues to serve as viewed papers which will be communicated Act 7 ||||||| a hub of knowledge on pangolin science and widely. (KSR #28) Network 3 ||| conservation. (KSR #27) iii. Work is underway to analyse national legis- Communicate 4 |||| Network lation affording protection to pangolins in range Main KSRs addressed: 2, 15, 18, 19, 26, 27, states. (KSR #28) Membership 28, 29, 32 iv. Internally, the group communicates by i. The Specialist Group continues to receive Resolutions addressed: WCC-2016-Res-015 email and generally does so well. We are in the membership requests and targets suitable indi- KSR: Key Species Result process of creating a better system to ensure viduals for membership, and our membership effective and timely communication with is growing. external stakeholders, especially where the Proposal development and funding group is approached cold by potential funders/ i. Some funds have been raised to support the collaborators. (KSR #28) Specialist Group Chair and Programme Officer and for key activities, e.g. the ecological moni- Acknowledgements toring workshop, but additional funds are We thank all government, foundation and indi- needed. (KSR #19) vidual donors that supported the Pangolin Synergy Specialist Group in 2018. In particular, we i. Relationships with range state governments thank Fondation Segré for generous ongoing are being built. The Chair is liaising with CITES support to the group and the U.S. Fish and Wild- authorities, for example, through the CITES life Service for their support of our ecological stream of work to analyse legislation affording monitoring work. We are grateful to Zoolog- protection to pangolins in range states, though ical Society of London (ZSL) for their continued more concerted effort is needed. (KSR #29) hosting and support to the group. We thank all Communicate our members for their continued commitment Communication to the group and Rachel Hoffmann from the SSC i. An ex situ working group has been estab- Chair’s office for always being a source of guid- lished – chaired by Keri Parker – who is ance if needed. convening key selected members and devel- oping a process to arrive at position statements on ex situ conservation and farming. Keri is liaising closely with the Chair in doing so. (KSR #28)