Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 232532225

White-bellied pangolin rising: a community-driven effort to save an endangered species in Benin

With support from the Mohamed Bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, our project has focused on protecting the endangered White-bellied Pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) across Benin’s Monts Kouffe, Wari-Maro, and Ouémé Supérieur reserves. Through community workshops, we established cultural and legal prohibitions against hunting pangolins, created local conservation groups for habitat monitoring, and implemented educational outreach for over 3,000 residents. Additionally, training in sustainable grasscutter breeding provided alternative livelihoods, reducing reliance on pangolin hunting. This collaborative approach has strengthened community stewardship, raised awareness, and laid the groundwork for long-term pangolin conservation in Benin.