The Zimbabwean mountains, with their diverse ecosystems, are among many mountain ranges witnessing changes in weather patterns. This is in turn affecting ant populations, altering both species composition and density. Shifts in rain patterns and temperature fluctuations directly influence the availability of resources, affecting ant foraging behaviour, nesting habits, and reproductive cycles. These changes in the ant community have a cascading effect on predator numbers, notably the critically endangered pangolin. The African pangolin, also known as the ground pangolin (Smutsia temminckii) which is found in Zimbabwe faces severe threats from habitat loss, poaching and other human-induced pressures.
As ant species and densities change, the pangolin, which is heavily reliant on ants as a primary food source, faces challenges in sustaining its population.
The Tikki Hywood Foundation which is a wildlife and conservation charity working in Southern African is using the climatic data from our Zimbabwean weather stations to explore correlations between ant populations, weather changes, and predator numbers effecting the pangolin.