On our last visit to the Singapore Zoo, we picked up this book about native pangolins in Singapore. August is the month we celebrate National Day so it seems appropriate to revisit one of our native animals this month.
The Sunda Pangolin
As a native of Singapore, sad to say I have not come across the Sunda Pangolin who is another native of Singapore.
In 2016, NParks estimated that there are about 100 wild pangolins in Singapore, based on the number rescued and released over the years. But exactly how numerous these elusive animals are is hard to pin down.
2021 sees an alarming spike in the number of pangolins killed on S’pore’s roads. Why?
So these two children are certainly lucky to chance upon and help rescue an injured pangolin, albeit being fictional characters in a book.
A story about two school children in Singapore finding and helping an injured pangolin.
This book gives children a short and simple explanation about how the loss of habitat is affecting Singapore’s already critically endangered Sunda Pangolin. It says, “When their forest home is cut down to build houses, they may have to cross the roads to look for food in another forest.”
Why did the pangolin cross the road and got injured?
As to why the fictional children found an injured pangolin by the road, it reads, “Sometimes, they get knocked down by cars.” [Insert road safety brainwashing to kid by parent.]
Most roadkills have been found on the fringes of forested areas, near nature parks and nature reserves, where pangolins most commonly roam.
2021 SEES AN ALARMING SPIKE IN THE NUMBER OF PANGOLINS KILLED ON S’PORE’S ROADS. WHY?
Of course, the ecosystem itself is a very complex topic. So it seems there may be various reasons working with diminishing forest habitats that result in our small population of pangolins ending up as road accident victims.
These possible reasons include:
- Young pangolins who left their mothers to establish their own territories and food ranges may cross roads to get to other patches of forest.
- Though there is no evidence to prove this, heavy rain could have disturbed pangolins in their burrows, or could have affected the whereabouts of their prey, prompting them to move away.
- Increase in visitors to Singapore’s nature parks and reserves over the Covid period could have disturbed these shy creatures or it could simply be that there are more people exploring natural areas, chancing upon pangolin roadkills, and reporting them, says SPWG (Singapore Pangolin Working Group).
- Source: 2021 sees an alarming spike in the number of pangolins killed on S’pore’s roads. Why?
And if you ever encounter a pangolin…
Do not be alarmed. These animals are shy and will not attack humans.
Do not touch, chase or corner them, as they will be frightened from your approach. You are advised to leave them alone.
Observe them! It is not very often that you will get to see a live pangolin. Share your findings with pangolin research and welfare groups.
Pangolins webpage on nparks.gov.sg
If you see a pangolin that is injured or stuck somewhere far from its forest home, call ACRES’ 24-hour rescue hotline on 9783 7782 or the NParks Animal Response Centre on 1800 476 1600.
What you shouldn’t do is pick them up and take them home.
Frances Loke Wei, programme manager for Conservation International Singapore, which is a member of SPWG
The Why did the pangolin cross the road? book does have a happy ending for the injured pangolin which I will leave for you to find out yourself.
- Search “Why did the pangolin cross the road?“to check its availability at your local library at the National Library Board (Singapore) website.
- Not from Singapore? You can email to buy a copy from the WRS (Wildlife Reserves Singapore) using the email on this e-store page.
Other resources for learning more about pangolins
A search on the National Library website finds a selection of books about the Pangolin in English but not so much in Chinese. Check it out – English search | Chinese search. No recommendations since I did not borrow any of them.
I borrowed this:
National Geographic Little Kids magazine (Mar/Apr 2021)
Because by a stroke of luck I happened upon the National Geographic Little Kids Magazine ( Mar/Apr 2021 copy) at the library and look what I found in it!
I found this page to be highly complimentary since it talks about the parts of the pangolin. Like it’s scales (鳞片), which acts like a body of armour (鳞甲). It’s snout (口鼻部) and long sticky tongue (长长黏黏的舌头) that helps it eat ants and termites. And also, its long claws (爪子) for digging into ant nests (蚁巢).
- Check out National Geographic Little Kids Magazine (Mar/Apr 2021)’s availability at NLB website.
- Not in Singapore? Check out National Geographic Little Kids Magazine subscription on Amazon.
A pangolin figurine to help little one see this animal in 3D
So like I’ve said, I’ve not had the opportunity to see this little fellow in the wild. And with covid numbers the way they are, I’m really uncertain when we will visit the zoo again. But I definitely would like Little P to be able to recognise and identify animals big and small that we can see on our tiny little island. So realistic toy figurines are a great way to help him visualise them in 3d and see the details on this animal and name the parts!
There are some specific brands of toy animals that are described as being more realistic in terms of the detail on them as well as their relative sizes. I.e. you won’t find them selling a duck the same size as a cow for example. More about size comparisons of figurine brands here.
Safari Ltd is one of these brands. Here’s a Safari Ltd Pangolin.
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See reviews and buy on Amazon.
Of course, nothing beats seeing the real thing so hope we get to visit the Singapore Zoo, specifically the Night Safari, some time!
More references and resources for the parent and child who want to find out more!
- Sunda Pangolin / Malayan Pangolin – WRS
- Sunda Pangolin – National Geographic
- Pangolin’s armour no shield to thread from extinction
- Eco-Link @BKE – Why did the pangolin cross the bridge
- Eco-Link @BKE – Where pangolins and palm civets crossed the road
- Mandai Eco-Link – Pangolins, Colugos, Lesser mousedeer
- Mandai Eco-Link – All you need to know
- How effective are eco-links?
- Pangolin out for walk at Bukit Timah
- Chinese-language pangolins poster
- Chinese (Taiwan) pangolin poster
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