Taipei Zoo

February 15, 2025 (Saturday) marks World Pangolin Day, an event initiated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Through collaborative research by international conservation experts across various organizations, the event focuses on the critically endangered pangolin species found in Asia and Africa, and the joint conservation efforts underway in these regions. Every year, on the third Saturday of February, World Pangolin Day is celebrated to raise global awareness about the severe threats facing pangolins. The event calls for a halt to illegal wildlife trade and invites the public to take part in efforts to save pangolins and secure their future. 

On February 15, 2025, Taipei Zoo hosted the “Armor Protection Action” educational event in front of the zoo’s Education Center. The event invited veterinarians and conservationists from the Biodiversity Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture, and Taipei Zoo, who are involved in Taiwan's pangolin rescue work, to engage in dialogue with the public. They shared their practical conservation experiences , including the challenges faced in rescuing and releasing pangolins back into the wild. Additionally, local communities, including students from Junior High Department of New Taipei Municipal Shiding High School and Taipei Municipal Bojia Primary School, were invited to participate. The students designed interactive activities to help the public learn about pangolins, understand the threats to their survival, and discover what actions they can take to help. Everyone is welcome to participate in the Armor Protection Action, complete the interactive educational games, and stand a chance to receive a limited edition pangolin EasyCard holder (limited to 300 pieces), as well as enter a raffle for a chance to win exclusive gift packages! 

The Formosan pangolin (Manis pentadactyla pentadactyla), a Taiwanese subspecies of the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla), is listed as Critically Endangered (CR) on the International Union for Conservation of Nature（ IUCN, The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species）. Urgent conservation actions are required to slow the rapid decline of its wild population. In recent years, under the division of responsibilities within the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Program managed by the Forestry and Nature Conservation Department, Taipei Zoo has taken on the role of assisting in the medical care of pangolins rescued in northern Taiwan. The zoo also provides care for individuals deemed unable to be released back into the wild after evaluation. Additionally, Taipei Zoo actively collaborates with local communities, public and private sectors, as well as experts and scholars in the region, working together to increase the chances of post-rescue releases and tracking efforts. The ultimate goal is to ensure the survival and continuity of pangolins in Taiwan. 

Current research shows that illegal hunting is the most significant threat to the global pangolin population. In Taiwan, however, pangolins mainly face survival threats from attacks by stray dogs. Although pangolins are covered in protective scales that seem to shield them from danger, the sharp teeth and bite force of canines can easily cause puncture wounds. Additionally, injuries from traps such as snares or animal foot traps, vehicle collisions, and young pangolins accidentally becoming separated from their mothers are also common reasons for pangolins entering the rescue system. Tragically, many pangolins don't survive long enough to be rescued to be rescued. 

In 2024, Taipei Zoo received 17 rescued pangolins referred by the Taipei City Animal Protection Office and other related organizations. After receiving medical care and recovery in the zoo, these injured pangolins undergo pre-release training and evaluation with the goal of returning them to the wild. Veterinarians and conservationists assess the pangolins' condition, using the zoo's more natural environment to allow the pangolins to "walk around," while monitoring key survival skills. These include physical fitness, defensive behavior, hiding abilities, foraging skills, and companion recognition. If a pangolin’s condition meets the release standards, it will be evaluated by the original referring unit to assess whether the threats in its original habitat still exist, deciding whether to return it to its original habitat or release it at a different location. Pangolins that do not meet the standards will undergo further release training. If they are unable to regain survival skills due to injury, they will be taken in for ongoing care at the zoo. 

In 2024, the zoo welcomed a new pangolin named "莓寶Mei Bao", whose mother, "穿莓Chuan Mei ", and father, "動保Dong Bao ", as well as the mother of another pangolin, "多莉Dolly " (whose mother is "生多Sheng Duo "), all suffered from injuries caused by attacks from stray animals, resulting in physical disabilities. While these pangolins cannot be released back into the wild, they play a crucial role as conservation ambassadors in the zoo, even becoming founding individuals for the continued conservation of pangolins outside their native habitat. 

World Pangolin Day "Armor Protection Action" Educational Event 

Event Time: February 15 (Saturday) 09:30-15:00 

Event Content: Join us for an educational session to learn about pangolins, their challenges, and conservation efforts. The event includes close interactions with conservationists, veterinarians, and the public to gain deeper insights into the rescue, treatment, and release of pangolins in Taiwan. At 11:45 and 15:00, five participants who complete the educational activity challenges will be selected to receive limited pangolin rewards! 

Organizer: Taipei Zoo Co-organizers: Ministry of Agriculture Biodiversity Research Institute, Junior High Department of New Taipei Municipal Shiding High School, Taipei Municipal Bojia Primary School