The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) will launch a groundbreaking initiative to rehabilitate and protect the world’s fastest pancake tortoise.
The rare, unique conservation effort is set to unfold in Tharaka Nithi County on Friday during World Endangered Species Day, making it the first ever exercise globally.
The initiative, according to KWS, will mark a significant milestone in Kenya’s commitment to preserving its rich biodiversity.
Speaking to the Voice Daily, Meru National Park senior Warden Kitavi Kaloki said the event, which will take place at Chiakariga.
It will be presided over by Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano.
“The initiative aims at recognizing the urgent need to protect the unique species. KWS has developed a comprehensive 10-year recovery and action plan for the pancake tortoise, covering the period from 2025 to 2035,” he said
A Rare and Remarkable Reptile
The pancake tortoise is unlike any other tortoise species with its name deriving from its distinctive, flat, and flexible shell.
The unique shell allows it to slip into narrow rock crevices to help it evade predators unlike most tortoises that retreat into their hard shells when threatened.
The pancake tortoise also relies on its agility and speed to escape danger with this unique adaptation making it one of the fastest tortoises in the world.
Native to the arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya and Tanzania, and parts of Zambia, the pancake tortoise is a small, herbivorous reptile that primarily feeds on dry grasses and vegetation.
Kaloki further added that due to itw solitary nature, the pancake tortoise often inhabits isolated colonies within rocky outcrops known as kopjes.
“Despite its fascinating adaptations, the species faces numerous threats that have led to its critically endangered status,” Kaloki said .
He noted that several factors contribute to the declining population of the pancake tortoise which includes Habitat destruction, over-exploitation, commercial development, over-grazing and slash-and-burn agriculture which is attributed by human- wildlife conflict.
A Strategic Response: The 10-Year Recovery Plan
The recovery plan involves identifying and documenting the existing populations of pancake tortoises across Kenya and evaluate the health and viability of these populations to involve conservation strategies.
“The pancake is found in nine counties which includes Tharaka Nithi, Kitui, Embu, Meru, Isiolo, Tana River, Laikipia, Samburu and Marsabit. We are in the process of identifying suitable habitat locate and protect areas that can support sustainable populations of the tortoise,” said Kaloki .
He also added they will intensify awareness creation and involve local communities in conservation efforts, promoting sustainable livelihoods and reducing human-wildlife conflicts.
Kaloki said the government will strengthen the legal frameworks to enhance enforcement of existing wildlife protection laws and collaborate with international bodies to curb illegal trade and harming the species.
“This initiative is not only a national effort but also a regional one, with neighboring Tanzania involved in similar conservation activities. The collaborative approach ensures that conservation efforts are harmonized, preventing the species from being driven out of protected areas into unprotected zones,” the officer said.
Local communities will play a pivotal role in the success of the conservation plan by engaging them in sustainable practices and providing alternative livelihoods, the pressure on the tortoise’s habitat this according to Kaloki
“Community-based conservation initiatives, such as eco-tourism and sustainable agriculture, offer viable alternatives to practices that harm the environment,” he said.
The pancake tortoise’s unique adaptations and behaviors make it a symbol of resilience, but also of vulnerability as the world observes endangered Species Day, highlighting the importance of collective action in safeguarding our planet’s most threatened species.
