Survival at stake: Raft of threats endanger Kenya’s pancake tortoise

By Andrew Wasike

LAIKIPIA, Kenya (AA) – Simon Mwangi’s eyes scour the vast and arid landscape, searching for any sign of a unique and elusive creature.

This is Marsabit, an area in the desert of northern Kenya with rugged, unforgivable terrain and rocky formations lining the horizon.

What Mwangi, an experience wildlife ranger, aims to find is an animal no larger than 7 inches (17 centimeters), a tall order in an area dotted with large boulders and miles of desert sand.

But he knows where to look and what to look for: subtle signs like shallow depressions in the sandy soil indicating nesting sites, or small gaps in the rocks, potential hiding spots.

He spots movement near a cluster of boulders, and with practiced precision, reaches into a crevice.

When he pulls out his hands, they are gently cradling a small tortoise with a flat shell that seamlessly blends in with the rocky surroundings.

This is the pancake tortoise, a species found in just a handful of countries in Africa, including Tanzania and Kenya.

Its name is more of a description of its physical build than anything else, based primarily on its unique flat shell, something that sets this tortoise apart from its round-backed cousins.

It is also a species facing an imminent threat to its survival, classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

“This is a rare sight,” Mwangi said as he closely inspected the tortoise.

“We must do everything we can to protect these unique creatures and ensure they have a future in the wild.”

- Multifaceted threats

Among a raft of dangers facing the pancake tortoise, the primary threats, according to experts, are habitat loss, illegal wildlife trade and climate change.

“These are key factors contributing to the critically endangered status of the pancake tortoise in Kenya,” Tom Lalampaa, a renowned African wildlife expert and CEO of the Northern Rangelands Trust, told Anadolu.

When it comes to their natural habitat, the tortoises depend on specific environments – rocky outcrops and crevices – for shelter and survival.

These specialized habitats are increasingly falling prey to deforestation, land development, and wildfires that are growing in frequency due to changing climate patterns.

“Overexploitation is a major threat to the long-term survival of this species, together with habitat degradation and loss,” Lalampaa added.

Since these tortoises mostly rely on rock crevices for shelter, he said they “rarely survive whenever there are bushfires during land clearing for farming.”

As for the illegal wildlife trade, their physical characteristics are what make these tortoises particularly vulnerable, as they are coveted as exotic pets.

“Their small size and adorable appearance makes them popular pets, especially in Europe and the US,” Dominic Maringa, head of conservation and wildlife at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, told Anadolu.

A 2022 report by his organization identified illegal smuggling and the pet trade as the greatest threat to the pancake tortoises.

“This high demand is spurring illegal smuggling,” said Maringa, while also pointing out the other factors mentioned by Lalampaa.

“Additionally, the loss of their natural habitat due to human activities, like deforestation and land development, is further threatening their survival.”

- Race against time

A 2018 assessment from the IUCN said that “observed and estimated population reductions of about 80% have been noted over a combination of the past two generations (30 years).”

The trend is “predicted for the next 15 years (45 years total for three generations), qualifying the species for an assessed conservation status of critically endangered,” read the report.

In light of these bleak projections, dedicated conservation efforts have been launched in Kenya to protect the tortoise, but experts believe there is much to be done with not enough time.

The conservation initiatives include mapping the current distribution of the species and identifying suitable habitats, particularly in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and similar place across Kenyan regions such as Samburu, Isiolo, Laikipia, Marsabit and Meru.

Other steps include clamping down on poaching, enforcing protective measures for their natural habitats, educating local communities on conservation and involving them in projects.

“We must take decisive action. Raising awareness about the consequences of the pet trade, stricter regulations for wildlife trafficking, and community-based conservation efforts are crucial steps,” said Maringa.

“This is the only way we can save them.”​​​​​​​