Training Pangolin Conservationists in Peacebuilding

Save Pangolins sponsored two pangolin conservationists, Divine Chakombera and Elisa Panjang, to attend the Fundamentals for Conservation Conflict Transformation workshop in Arusha, Tanzania in September 2019. The Center for Conservation Peacebuilding ( CPeace ) training taught participants about the complex and diverse conflicts that affect conservation organizations and how to address them, such as the deep-rooted conflicts in conservation that can arise from complicated networks of diverse government agencies, non-governmental organizations, communities and lawmakers all working together. Over the course of five days, the training covered various types of social conflict that impact wildlife conservation and different tools for mitigating them. Participants learned mediation techniques to be able to diplomatically resolve issues between parties and had the opportunity to role play real-life scenarios.  

Elisa Panjang and Divine Chakombera

Divine Chakombera, the Legal Liaison Officer of Tikki Hywood Foundation, traveled from Zimbabwe to attend the CPeace training. The Tikki Hywood Foundation is a 24-hour wildlife rescue center and conservation organization that focuses on pangolins and other lesser known endangered African species. According to Divine, “The ultimate aim for Tikki Hywood Foundation is to ensure that the pangolin as a species is protected and conserved.” The Foundation aims to advance conservation efforts through community outreach, education and awareness, and legislation that protects wildlife. Divine attended the workshop to learn new skills and to be able to take the concepts and strategies of Conservation Peacebuilding back to the Tikki Hywood Foundation’s comprehensive pangolin conservation initiatives. On the first day, participants were taught to categorize different types of conflict and the driving force behind them. “The levels of conflict theory further clarified my perspective on the notion that conservation issues are about people versus people,” said Divine. “One is compelled not to just analyze conflict at face value but rather employ a deeper analysis.”

Elisa Panjang, Ph.D. Student at Cardiff University and Pangolin Conservation Officer at the Danau Girang Field Center in Sabah, Malaysia, traveled to the CPeace workshop interested to learn more about human behavior and social conflicts relating to conservation.  Elisa said, “I learned to not judge and reduce negative perceptions of an agency, organization, community or group and their actions.” Elisa found the workshop to be eye opening and a valuable opportunity to connect with other conservationists. “I feel that I will improve my internal and external communication, cooperation and collaboration if I continue to practice the skills taught at the training workshop,” she said. A week after the CPeace workshop in Tanzania, Elisa traveled to Thailand for another conservation workshop focusing on the Sunda pangolin. She has recommended the workshop to her fellow pangolin conservationist peers in the hopes that it will help them just as much is it helped her. 

Group photo of the CCT participants and trainer

After attending the workshop, both Divine and Elisa feel better equipped to address the different social conflicts that arise in conservation, to understand opposing ideas without prejudice, and to communicate and collaborate effectively with diverse agencies, organizations and communities. Divine said, “The lessons learnt at the CCT capacity building workshop will further strengthen our team and help us achieve one of our key mandates that is utilizing conservation and education as stepping stones towards a future where humans live in harmony with wildlife.” The workshop garnered a strong sense of community among the participants, who came from all over the world. They connected through shared experiences and the collective goal: to become better conservationists. Elisa told us, “because of this new family, I feel that I am not alone in my fights.” Both conservationists were grateful to have attended the workshop and are eager to put their new tools and strategies to use in fighting for pangolin conservation.  Conservation peacebuilding is a core tenant of the Save Pangolins strategy. Through promoting and implementing conservation peace building, Save Pangolins fosters lasting relationships and inclusive processes within the pangolin conservation community that increase the likelihood of long-lasting initiatives to benefit pangolins.