Pangolins are mammals from the order Pholidota, popularly known as scaly anteaters. They feed mostly on ants and termites and are largely solitary, nocturnal animals covered with scales (Challender et al., 2014). Globally, eight species of Pangolin (Pholidota: Manidae) exist; four are native to Africa and four to Asia, and overexploitation for both domestic and foreign purposes is putting them all in danger of becoming extinct (Boakye et al., 2014; IUCN, 2023; IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group, 2016). In Africa, Pangolin are concentrated in west and central Africa, with two species found in Nigeria (the long-tailed Pangolin Phataginus tetradactyla and the white-bellied African tree pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis). Other species occur in east and southern Africa (Sodeinde and Adedipe 1994).
Although Pangolin has historically been marketed in great quantities, live and dead Pangolin are the principal products of international Pangolin trafficking, which mostly originates in Africa and Asia and is intended for China and Vietnam (Nijman et al., 2016; Challender and Waterman, 2017). Recent data on wild populations shows a sharp decrease in several parts of Africa due to overexploitation (Pietersen et al., 2016; Waterman et al., 2014a). In 2016, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES 2016) added all species of Pangolin to Appendix I at CoP17, prohibiting their commercial trade internationally due to concerns about the effects of international trafficking (Challender and Hywood 2012). Pangolin have received great attention in recent times, not just for their unique morphological features but also because of their prominence in international trade. They are one of the most trafficked, and Pangolin trade continues unabated (Soewu and Sodeinde 2011).
Various anthropogenic risks have made research on the endangered African Tree Pangolin increasingly important in recent years. As the most trafficked animal in the world, the declining population of African tree pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) suggests that pressure from hunting and the illegal trade in African Tree Pangolin may be related to the locals' negative attitudes toward wildlife conservation (Baillie et al., 2014; Zhou et al., 2012; Challender et al., 2015). With the creation of the 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets, the Convention on Biological Diversity's Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 (CBD, 2010) has offered a broad framework for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use over the past ten years. Aichi Target 11 states that by 2020, at least 17% of the terrestrial areas should be conserved through “ecologically representative and well-connected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures” (CBD, 2010).
CBD at the 14th Conference of the Parties in 2018 adopted the definition of an OECM as “a geographically defined area other than a Protected Area (PA), which is governed and managed in ways that achieve positive and sustained long-term outcomes for the in-situ conservation of biodiversity, with associated ecosystem functions and services and, where applicable, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and other locally relevant values” (CBD, 2018).
For thousands of years, Pangolin products have been utilized in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a wide range of illnesses. The meat is a tonic, and the scales help pregnant women breastfeed more and improve blood circulation (Hua et al., 2015). In Africa, they are also utilized as medicine. For instance, Pangolin parts are utilized in Nigeria to treat a variety of medical and psychological issues (Soewu and Adekanola, 2011). The CITES wildlife trade database also attests that Pangolin parts are traded for traditional medicine and for making leather products (Mohapatra et al., 2015; UNEP-WCMC, 2020).
The demand for Pangolin in Asian markets is being met by the supply from Africa, with Nigeria being regarded as an important gateway for illicit traffic. Pangolin are hunted for their meat and scales, which are utilized for medicinal purposes on both continents (Krishnasamy and Shepherd 2017). For thousands of years, Pangolin products have been utilized in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a wide range of illnesses. The meat is a tonic, and the scales help pregnant women breastfeed more and improve blood circulation (Hua et al., 2015). In Africa, they are also utilized as medicine. For instance, Pangolin parts are utilized in Nigeria to treat a variety of medical and psychological issues (Soewu and Adekanola, 2011).
In order to effectively address cultural, social, and political concerns in the environment and possibly influence indigenous people's views toward wildlife existence and conservation, it is imperative to actively engage potential stakeholders. This can be achieved by seeking their participation in conservation efforts, in addition to evaluating the technological efficacy of conservation technologies (Nji, 2004).
Because Osun State is a forest zone, it is one of Nigeria's most significant biodiversity hotspots, with high levels of endemism and species richness throughout the forest area (Owolabi et al., 2021). Due to the lack of sustainable forest management practices, this forest's biodiversity is at risk, particularly that of the African tree Pangolin. Research has typically shown that while the positive impacts of conservation, such as game meat, may have some positive influence on local attitudes, the costs of conservation, like crops damaged by animals, have a negative impact. Numerous factors have been observed to impact local knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions. These factors include the degree of education, the awareness of protected areas, and the services and benefits that conservation-related projects provide to the host communities and their inhabitants (Vodouhe et al., 2010; Gandiwa et al., 2014). In order to improve the relationship between local communities and protected areas and raise public awareness of conservation, it is imperative to have a thorough understanding of these components.
Examining the opinions of the locals is essential to managing the forest, evaluating it, developing a management plan, and recommending more successful conservation measures for the OECM sites in Osun state. In order to address this information gap, the study aims to assess local populations' attitudes, knowledge, and perceptions regarding the conservation of African tree Pangolin in the designated OECM areas in Osun state. With regard to the African Tree Pangolin, the study will identify OECM sites in Osun State, evaluate indigenous knowledge of Pangolin conservation, evaluate the effect of educational attainment on Pangolin conservation, identify the factors influencing the conservation of wildlife and bush meat, and establish improved mitigation strategies.