The department of National Parks and Wildlife has stressed the need to conduct a national Pangolin census to identify the extent of poaching and trafficking of the pangolins in the country

The Director in the department Brighton Kumchedwa made known of the development on Monday, April 12.

The pangolin census suggestion however follows when the country continues to register rampant cases of poaching and trafficking with Malawians being used as middlemen.

Kumchedwa acknowledges that the initiative will require a lot of planning and resources considering that pangolins are not only restricted to protected areas.

The director said for the census to be effective there is a need to have trap cameras put in different areas which he was quick to disclose that the development requires a lot of money.

“We have not had chances to conduct the pangolin census because of the nature of the animal since it often time lingers at night and inhabits underground,” said Kumchedwa.

The director has since called for consented efforts to implement the initiative.

According to statistics, Malawi recorded 83 pangolin cases last year alone.