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In an exciting development for wildlife conservation, Prague Zoo has announced the birth of its second Chinese pangolin in less than two years. This special event occurred in July 2024.

This birth comes just over a year after the zoo welcomed Europe’s first-ever pangolin pup in February 2023. The zoo staff have nicknamed the new arrival “Little Pine” due to its cone-like appearance.

“We’re thrilled to announce our second pangolin birth,” said Miroslav Bobek, the director of Prague Zoo. “This shows that our breeding program is really making progress. Each baby pangolin born is a huge step for conservation.”

Why is This Important?

Pangolins are critically endangered and are considered the most illegally trafficked mammals in the world. Theirr scales and meat are highly sought after. Prague Zoo’s breeding program is contributing valuable knowledge to global conservation efforts.

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David Vala, a zookeeper at Prague Zoo, explained, “It’s not just about having babies – it’s about learning how to care for pangolins at every stage of life.”

How Did This Happen?

The parents of both pangolin pups, named Run Hou Tang and Guo Bao, arrived at Prague Zoo from Taiwan in April 2022.

“We’ve learned so much since our first pangolin birth last year,” Vala said. “For example, we now know how to supplement the mother’s milk if needed, and we’ve perfected our feeding techniques.”

Both pangolin pups are reportedly doing well. The older pup, born in 2023, has already become a favorite among zoo visitors. The zoo staff hope that the new baby will soon be strong enough to be seen by the public as well.