In a landmark step for global reptile conservation, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) today unveiled the National Recovery and Conservation Action Plan for the Pancake Tortoise (2025–2035), signaling an ambitious and urgent commitment to rescue one of the world’s most unique – and endangered – reptiles from extinction.
The action plan, launched in Chiakariga Subcounty by KWS Director General Prof. Erustus Kanga, PhD, EBS, outlines a science-driven roadmap to secure the future of the Pancake Tortoise (Malacochersus tornieri), known locally as Kobe Kama Chapati or Kobe Mawe. Distinguished by its flat, flexible shell and rock-climbing agility, the species has become a target for the illegal pet trade and continues to suffer from habitat loss and environmental degradation.
“This Action Plan isn't just about saving a tortoise,” Prof. Kanga stated at the event. “It’s about protecting a living emblem of Kenya's natural heritage – a species that defies nature’s norms yet now depends entirely on our protection. With females laying just one egg per year, every individual loss is devastating.”
The comprehensive plan—developed in collaboration with the National Museums of Kenya, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, and international partners—focuses on five core strategies:
- Restoring and protecting natural habitats
- Strengthening anti-poaching efforts
- Promoting community-led conservation
- Supporting long-term scientific research and monitoring
- Encouraging sustainable land use and partnerships
KWS Board of Trustees member Hon. Chachu Ganya, who officiated the launch, highlighted the coalition of conservation stakeholders supporting the initiative, including Turtle Survival Alliance, Re:wild, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Turtle Conservation Fund, and the IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group.
“With over 95% of the species’ population living outside protected areas in counties like Tharaka-Nithi, Kitui, Meru, and Isiolo, we cannot succeed without local communities,” said Hon. Chachu. “This is a test of our national commitment to biodiversity, and it demands action from every Kenyan—from landowners to policymakers.”
The plan is aligned with Kenya’s 2024–2028 Strategic Plan and the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, further solidifying the country's reputation as a global leader in conservation innovation.
“This is our battle cry,” Hon. Chachu declared. “Let this be the Decade of the Pancake Tortoise—a time of recovery, hope, and partnership. Together, we will prove that Kenya’s conservation model works.”
With determined leadership and community engagement, the plan hopes to reverse the decline of a species that has quietly endured for millennia, turning it into a symbol of what collective conservation action can achieve.
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