Rare Chinese Pangolin Birth at Prague Zoo

In a remarkable development, a second Chinese pangolin has been born at the Prague zoo within a span of less than two years, defying expectations and delighting park officials. The female pangolin, a critically endangered species, arrived on July 1, becoming the second Chinese pangolin born in captivity in Europe after her sister, Cone, in February last year. Weighing just 141 grams at birth, she has been steadily gaining weight and is expected to reach 250 grams this week, with adults of the species reaching up to 6.8 kilograms. The successful breeding comes after the zoo received a male and a female pangolin from the Taipei zoo in 2022, with the initial goal being to ensure their well-being and health. The unexpected birth of the second Chinese pangolin has been met with surprise and joy by zoo director Miroslav Bobek, who expressed that while they had hoped for offspring in the future, the rapid success was unforeseen. The Chinese pangolin, native to southern China and Southeast Asia, is one of four pangolin species in Asia, facing severe threats due to heavy hunting for their scales and meat. Breeding these mammals in captivity is challenging due to their specific dietary and environmental requirements, including a specialized diet and precise humidity and temperature levels in their enclosure. Prague Zoo's achievement marks it as only the second European zoo to house the Chinese pangolin species, following a decision to sever ties with Beijing and establish a partnership with Taipei in 2020. This move, which included collaboration between the zoos of Taipei and Prague, led to tensions with China, which considers Taiwan as part of its territory. Despite the geopolitical implications, the successful breeding of the Chinese pangolins in Prague highlights the importance of conservation efforts for these endangered creatures and the significance of international cooperation in safeguarding biodiversity.