Abstract
Pangolins in Uganda depend almost entirely on termites and ants as their main food source. However, the accelerating effects of climate change—particularly unpredictable rainfall, rising temperatures, and prolonged droughts—are threatening the abundance and distribution of these invertebrates. As prey populations decline or shift, pangolins face increasing challenges in foraging, reproduction, and survival. This study explores how climate-induced changes in termite and ant populations affect pangolin ecology, with emphasis on foraging behavior, habitat use, and resilience. By combining ecological field data, climate records, and community insights, the findings highlight adaptive strategies for pangolins and propose community-driven interventions to safeguard both prey and predator in changing ecosystems.
Pangolins are highly specialized mammals that feed exclusively on termites and ants. Their survival is therefore intimately tied to the stability and productivity of these invertebrate populations. In Uganda, climate change has introduced significant ecological uncertainty. Extended dry seasons, erratic rainfall, and increasing temperatures have altered the availability and distribution of termites and ants, disrupting the delicate balance between predator and prey.
When prey becomes scarce, pangolins are often forced to move over greater distances to find food, exposing them to higher risks of poaching, habitat fragmentation, and energy loss. These pressures can result in reduced breeding success and declining populations. Understanding these relationships is crucial for designing adaptive conservation responses that protect pangolins while sustaining the ecological conditions that support them.
In Brief
This study focuses on how climate variability influences termite and ant populations, how these changes affect pangolin behavior and habitat use, and how community-based conservation efforts can mitigate the impacts.