President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Monday received a live pangolin that had been discovered by a Kwekwe farmer, Mr. John Mapurazi, before handing it over to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) for protection.
According to officials, Mr. Mapurazi found the endangered animal on his farm and immediately notified authorities.
The pangolin was subsequently transported to State House where President Mnangagwa accepted it and commended the farmer for acting lawfully.
Pangolins are listed among Zimbabwe’s most protected wildlife species, and illegal possession or trafficking of the mammals attracts a mandatory prison sentence of up to nine years.
Speaking during the handover, President Mnangagwa praised the farmer’s actions, saying Zimbabweans must play an active role in safeguarding the country’s wildlife heritage.
“This is how every citizen should respond when they come across our protected species. Pangolins are endangered and must be preserved,” the President said.
After a brief inspection, President Mnangagwa formally handed the animal to ZimParks officials who confirmed it will be transferred to a secure environment for rehabilitation and monitoring.
Conservation groups have repeatedly warned that pangolins remain among the world’s most trafficked mammals, mainly due to demand for their scales and meat.
