Owing to the forest type locality of this species and the savanna associations of most of the locality records, a comparison between the type and other material might be advisable to ensure taxonomic accuracy.

Euoniticellus kawanus has an extent of occurrence of over 11,000,000 km², which parallels the former Africa-wide distribution of monogastric vertebrates with whose dung it is associated. Although subpopulations of the species are now likely to be localised by its association with the dung of monogastric herbivores, the range reductions are insufficient over a three-generation period in this insect for it to be classed as threatened. It is therefore listed as Least Concern, although its population densities are low.

This species was described from the Kawa Forest on the shores of Lake Albert in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, most material identified as Euoniticellus kawanus originates from savanna localities that are distributed widely throughout the Afrotropical region (Janssens 1939; Australian CSIRO 1970-1986, unpublished data; Ferreira 1972, Cambefort 1991). Across this vast area, the limited and patchy locality records are presumably related to its dung type specialisation (Australian CSIRO 1970-1986, unpublished records). Given its wide range, the list of countries within which it occurs is presumably incomplete (with records known from South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire and Zimbabwe in addition to the Democratic Republic of the Congo - Davis et al. 2020) is presumably incomplete. It has been recorded between 274 and 1,100 in southern Africa (Davis et al. 2020).

There are no quantitative population data available for this species, although Davis et al. (2020) describe it as being "infrequently encountered". In collections from elephant dung it has always been observed in very low numbers, which would suggest a naturally low population density.

Southern and east African collections of this small-bodied, day-flying, tunnelling species are almost entirely from the coarse fibred dung of monogastric herbivores. An extensive quantitative study in Botswana recorded only two individuals in elephant dung bait and one to pig dung bait (Davis et al. 2020). This apparent evidence of specialisation is thus based based on limited data: Davis et al. (2020) summarise 12 dung records from eight southern African localities. Collections were made in open woodland on deep sand, loamy sand or, occasionally, on sandy loam (Australian CSIRO 1970-1986, unpublished records, Davis et al. 2020).

Dung type specialization and apparent low population density explain the patchy locality data over a widespread range of savanna ecoregions that include Guinean forest-savanna mosaic (AT0707), Northern Congolian forest-savanna mosaic (AT0712), Northern Acacia-Commiphora bushlands and thickets (AT0711), East Sudanian savanna (AT0705), Central Zambezian Miombo woodlands (AT0704), Zambezian and Mopane woodlands (AT0725), Zambezian Baikiaea woodlands (AT0726), and Angolan Mopane woodlands (AT0702) (ecoregions based on Olson et al. 2001).

Some environmental characteristics for thirteen locality records are as follows: mean annual rainfall: mean: 733 ± 346 (S.D.), range: 374-1,414 mm; mean annual temperature 24.0 ± 2.0 (S.D.), range: 21.1-27.3°C. Data from southern Africa based on eight localities indicate that it occurs in sites with lower mean annual rainfall (as low as 209 mm) and annual temperature (as low as 15.7 °C) (Davis et al. 2020)

The Africa-wide reduction in the range of monogastric herbivores, such as elephant and zebra, is likely to be a major threat to this specie. This may be to some extent counterbalanced by its widespread distribution, as evidenced by collection records from savanna reserves throughout the Afrotropical region. Its ecological associations are however poorly-known, and it is consequently unclear whether it is likely to be subject to impacts from habitat loss (Davis et al. 2020).

There is no use or trade information available for this species.

There are no species-specific conservation measures in place. At present no further conservation action is required as long as viable populations of savanna elephants continue to be protected in major reserves throughout the continent. A 2007 report suggests that the principal threat to elephants are human / elephant conflict in many west and east African countries due to expanding rural populations (Blanc et al. 2007). If this species is as strongly associated with large monogastric herbivores as available evidence, both the beetle and the elephants with which it is associated are afforded protection in a number of game reserves and national parks throughout its range, including Kruger in South Africa, Hwange in Zimbabwe, and Buffalo Springs / Samburu in Kenya (Australian CSIRO 1970-1986, unpublished records), as well as Etosha (Namibia), Chobe (Botswana), and Meru (Kenya) (Davis et al. 2020). Quantitative data are needed on its ecology, both to clarify habitat associations and to confirm dung type specialisation. Taxonomic research is recommended to confirm savanna material compares well with the forest type (Davis et al. 2020).