The Tikki Hywood Foundation Cameroon is the first facility of its kind in Central and West Africa.
The Foundation has developed and built the very first rescue, rehabilitation and release centre in Cameroon. This facility is based on the successful model the foundation has built, with over 28 years of experience operating in Zimbabwe.
Tikki Hywood Foundation is working to tackle the root of the poaching problem through creating national and international awareness and is working to address pangolin trafficking through national and international awareness campaigns in collaboration with the Office of the President, together with the Cameroon Ministry of Wildlife and Environment to increase protection for the worlds most trafficked mammal.
The Tikki Hywood Foundation - Cameroon Rehabilitation Centre for pangolin is located in Mefou National Park which is situated about 50km from Yaoundé.
In partnership with the Office of the President and Cameroons Ministry of Forest and Fauna, The Foundation aims to address the trafficking and poaching of this species through awareness campaigns and mentoring, to increase protection for the worlds most trafficked mammal the pangolin.
The Pangolin
Three of the four African pangolin species occur naturally in Cameroon. The giant pangolin (Smutsia gigantea), the largest of all eight species and have been recorded to weigh up to 33kgs. The white-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis), also known as the Three-cusped pangolin or Tree pangolin. And the black-bellied pangolin (Uromanis tetradactyla), also known as the long-tailed pangolin. The black-bellied pangolin are the smallest of all the species, weighing around 2-3kgs.
Locally, these three species are threatened by the bushmeat trade predominantly in West and Central Africa and their scales are used for cultural and ethno-medicinal purposes, including traditional African medicine. Internationally Pangolin meat is seen as a delicacy in China and Vietnam, with the pangolin scales ground down to a powder form and used in traditional Chinese Medicine.
The construction of the first ever rehabilitation facility for pangolins in Cameroon has been generously funded by Eran Moas and was completed in January 2020.
Over and above rescuing and rehabilitation, the facility will also house an Education Centre for awareness programs that highlight the plight of the pangolin. Local communities, the public, learners and Cameroons dedicated Pangolin Working Group will have the opportunity to use this Education centre to expand the tenents of good conservation practices as well as the need to protect and preserve all fauna and flora of Cameroon.
This centre will be a safe space for pangolins rescued from trade where they can be cared for until they are healthy and can be released back into the wild where they belong.
THF Cameroon
Location
Help us make a difference
To our sponsors, this journey would not have been possible without you; our sincere gratitude.
