Pangolins in Zoo Prague Celebrate World Pangolin Day
Zoo Praha is only the second zoo in Europe after Leipzig, Germany, that has pangolins. You can see the rare Asian short-tailed pangolins in the Indonesian Jungle pavilion, where in 2023 the very first pangolin baby in Europe – a female named Šiška – was born, followed by another female, Connie, within a year.
This Saturday, the zoo will host a program that includes feeding sessions for the pangolins at 9:30 and 15:45. There will also be educational stations where both children and adults can learn about these fascinating creatures in a fun way and discover how they can help them too. These stations will be open from 10 AM to 4 PM.
The zoo in Prague is working hard to protect pangolins in various countries. In Cameroon, they support park rangers, and through a program called Traveling Bus, they aim to reduce poaching by educating and raising awareness among local communities. In Laos and Sumatra, they contribute financially to building and operating rescue stations for pangolins that have been seized from poachers.
Pangolins are a unique and ancient group of toothless mammals related to carnivores, specializing in eating ants and termites. They are easily recognized by their appearance that resembles a pine cone – they are the only mammals on Earth covered in modified hair that forms scales, which are made of keratin, the same material found in the hooves and claws of other animals.
These animals live in southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, and they are heavily hunted on both continents. In particular, in Asia, their scales are used to make products that are believed to help with skin diseases, fertility issues, and blood circulation problems. However, these medicinal benefits have never been scientifically proven. Ironically, their scales are just made of ordinary keratin, like our nails and hair. The biggest markets for these products are China and Vietnam.
After excessive hunting significantly reduced the populations of Asian pangolins, illegal trade has begun to shift towards African species as well. As a result, all eight species of pangolins are classified on the IUCN Red List as being in danger of extinction, with two even listed as critically endangered.
Although World Pangolin Day raises awareness about their plight, progress in conservation efforts is still too slow.
