Pangolins are the world’s most trafficked mammal, but in the Kalahari in South Africa, committed conservation projects are helping to save these unique creatures. Conservation is written through the DNA at Tswalu, with meaningful research and the restoration of threatened species as a priority.
What makes Tswalu unique?
Tswalu protects a vast swathe of unique habitat in South Africa – an ecosystem on an immense scale, and one that gives up its secrets only slowly. The Tswalu landscape is both ancient and dynamic, and richly rewards a closer look.
Infrequent, localized rainfall has a transformative effect on this landscape, and the wildlife is highly adapted to surviving in lean times while waiting for the chance to thrive during brief periods of plenty.
How important is conservation at Tswalu?
Once farmland, Tswalu is ultimately focused on restoring this portion of the southern Kalahari to its original, fully wild state. It’s no exaggeration to state that conservation is central to everything that Tswalu stands for. Every decision is made in alignment with the reserve’s long-term conservation strategy, which seeks to protect and conserve both the entire ecosystem, and individual species like the Temminck’s pangolin.
Conservation initiatives are a core part of Tswalu’s identity as both an ecological success story, and a luxury African travel destination. These two strands are woven together to create a memorable tapestry of moments that inform and enrich every aspect of your stay at Tswalu – especially your safari activities.
Conservation is central to everything that Tswalu stands for.
What is so special about pangolins?
The pangolin is one of Africa’s most threatened mammals due to international demand for its scales. The irony is not lost on the conservation team at Tswalu – the very feature that pangolins rely on for protection has become the reason poachers seek them out for the illegal wildlife trade.
Shy and largely nocturnal, pangolins can be hard to see – even in such ideal habitat as the Kalahari. As part of its long-standing commitment to conservation, Tswalu has been instrumental in pioneering pangolin research.
How is Tswalu helping to save pangolins?
Thanks to their dedicated program of pangolin research, which has grown from a single PhD study into a much broader, multi-layered approach that looks at pangolins and their interactions with their habitat and other species, Tswalu has now been designated as an official release site for already-rehabilitated pangolins that have been rescued from the illegal wildlife trade.
Tswalu offers an ideal blend of perfect pangolin habitat, security against threats, and a resident pangolin population that has been studied over time by leading wildlife scientists and researchers.
Using the latest tracking technology, re-released pangolins are regularly located and observed, with the hope that, despite the trauma of having been trafficked, these rescued animals can once again live successfully in the wild following their release at Tswalu.
It is still too early to determine the success of each pangolin release, but ongoing research is seeking to answer the question of whether rescued, rehabilitated and re-released pangolins can truly recover.
Each of these projects is looking at a different aspect of pangolin ecology. Researchers are investigating what pangolins need to survive and their contributions to the ecosystem in which they live in terms of nutrient cycling and soil enrichment. Researchers have also looked at pangolins’ physiological adaptations to fluctuating food availability, competition for resources between pangolins and aardvarks, and the factors that drive pangolin movements and habitat use within Tswalu.
How will conservation enrich my experience at Tswalu?
As a guest at Tswalu, you’ll experience some of South Africa’s most luxurious, stylish and authentic safari accommodation. You will also get to lose yourself in an almost infinite landscape that has an unmistakable sense of place. And most meaningfully of all, you’ll gain insights into over a decade of pangolin conservation, and how this dovetails with Tswalu’s broader conservation goals as they work to conserve this astonishing ecosystem, and share it with visitors in ways that are entirely sustainable.
What kind of safari experience does Tswalu offer?
Tswalu offers an exceptional safari experience that brings genuine purpose and depth, and the opportunity to be part of a strong – and growing – conservation legacy. You’ll gain insights into what makes the Kalahari such a special environment, and into ongoing efforts to conserve both the landscape and one of its most emblematic species, the Temminck’s pangolin.
How can I make it happen?
To experience the Kalahari in South Africa and become part of Tswalu’s conservation success story, connect with the journey specialists at Alluring Africa today.