Cameroon’s “No Pangolin On My Plate” Restaurant Campaign Expands After Enthusiastic Response

WildAid’s “No Pangolin On My Plate” (“Pas de Pangolin Dans Mon Assiette”) campaign is expanding to the towns of Bertoua, Ebolowa, and Mbalmayo, after an enthusiastic response from restaurant owners in the cities of Yaoundé and Douala.

214 Cameroonian restaurants specializing in bushmeat and traditional cuisine have joined the new campaign to protect endangered pangolins by pledging not to serve pangolin meat. Participating restaurants are showcasing their commitment by displaying the campaign logo outside their establishments and hanging posters inside to educate customers on the importance of pangolin conservation.

So far, campaigners have approached a total of 394 restaurants serving bushmeat and traditional dishes. Among the restaurants they visited, 137 were serving pangolin meat. Of that number, 59 (43%) have joined the campaign and pledged to stop serving pangolin meat.

Restaurants joining the campaign have aligned themselves with ethical and sustainable practices, enhancing their reputation among environmentally conscious consumers. They’re playing a vital role in conservation efforts and helping to preserve Cameroon’s rich natural heritage.

WildAid is promoting these restaurants as pangolin-free on a website created for the campaign. In the second phase of the campaign, WildAid ambassadors and influencers will participate, encouraging consumers to choose pangolin-free restaurants. Together, restaurants and influencers can inspire others to follow suit, creating a ripple effect of change across the community.

Under Cameroonian law, it is illegal to kill, capture, keep, or trade pangolins, as all three species existing in the country have been given the strongest Category A protection for endangered species.

A new Forestry and Wildlife law passed by parliament and signed by President Paul Biya in July has sharply increased the penalties for capturing or killing protected species, leading to imprisonment of 15 to 20 years, or fines ranging from 20 to 50 million CFA francs ($34,000 to $84,000) or both.

This legislative milestone represents a significant step forward in the protection and preservation of Cameroon’s biodiversity. It also underscores the government’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s wildlife and sends a clear message that illegal activities will not be tolerated.