First pangolin born in captivity in Europe!
In a Prague zoo on Thursday, Februrary 2 a significant event happened. The whole world was talking about it. The first ever pangolin (luskoun) was born in captivity in Europe and even in our Prague zoo! This event aroused reactions from many scientists, including Jane Goodal, since it is so hard to meet the right conditions for successful birth of pangolins, especially in captivity.
Pangolins are highly endangered mammals. Their occurrence is Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where they are unfortunately hunted for their unique skin civered with scales and their meat as well. They live on trees and on a ground, it depends on the species.
They are not only highly remarkable, but also highly endangered, and both in sub-Saharan Africa and south-east Asia the members of the Prague zoo are trying to contribute to their conservation. Some sources say, they even are the most smuggled animal in the world because over 100 000 individuals are being smuggled into Vietnam and China per year. That is also why Prague zoo celebrated the birth of Šiška.
It was a hard time then for Prague zoo. The infection of the herpes virus killed of one of the female elephants, but luckily a huge joy came when the pangolin called Šiška (named due to the appearance of its skin) was born. It was difficult to get the know-how how to breed pangolins successfully. Many pangolins had already been brought to many zoological gardens (including our own), but none of them had survived for long. Only recently has the methodology of their breeding been mastered, particularly the preparation of the substitute food. Taipei Zoo has been in the forefront of this effort, and just from there the Prague zoo got last year in April the breeding couple of Chinese pangolins, thanks to the negotiation of the Prague Mayor, Zdeněk Hřib. So, we became the second zoo in Europe where a visitor can see these unique animals.
Jane Goodall, a famous mammal biologist and researcher, even reacted to this rare event through a video. Without question, it is a great honor for Prague zoo team!
Some of the things she said:
"I would like to at least send a message during this special occasion to welcome a baby Chinese pangolin into the world,"
"She is already about six weeks old, and if she lives to maturity - which she surely will - she will be the first pangolin to be raised in Europe."
"All pangolins are endangered. They are the most trafficked animal in the world. And just look at this little baby now and think of how people will pull off the scales and sell them because they think that they're good medicine - which of course they aren't, they're basically like our fingernails."
"I wish you all a wonderful time during this special ceremony. I hope you come up with a fantastic name for the little girl and that I can come see her myself soon. Congratulations to team at Prague Zoo who brought this miracle about."
https://youtu.be/p0GYVzfTECs - the whole video of Jane Goodall