Search
What would you like to search for?
Sunda Pangolins in Singapore are mainly distributed in nature reserves and adjacent nature parks on the mainland. They can also be found on the islands of Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong. In Southeast Asia, they can be found in parts of Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos PDR and Vietnam.
Mandai Nature, together with Mandai Wildlife Group, actively contributes to in situ and ex situ conservation efforts of this species. In a collaborative effort by various stakeholders including the two organisations, IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group (PSG), IUCN SSC Asian Species Action Partnership (ASAP), IUCN SSC Conservation Planning Group (CPSG) and Singapore National Parks Board (NParks), a Regional Conservation Action Planning Workshop, followed by a three-day National Action Planning Workshop for Singapore, was hosted at Singapore Zoo.
Following these meetings, the Sunda Pangolin National Conservation Strategy and Action Plan for Singapore was published in 2018, with five overarching goals: 1) gather and share information; 2) ensure habitat protection, restoration, and connectivity; 3) establish wildlife-conscious urban planning; 4) develop rescue, rehabilitation, and release strategies with resources to implement them; and 5) enhance collaborations, communications, and awareness. The plan is being implemented by the Singapore Working Group (SPWG) which is co-chaired by Mandai Nature and Mandai Wildlife Group.
In 2019, Mandai Nature, CPSG, PSG, and the National Science Museum, Thailand, organised an Ex Situ Conservation Needs Assessment and Planning Workshop for the Sunda Pangolin in Thailand. In this workshop, participants reviewed the status of the ex situ population and facilities, and identified seven potential conservation roles for the Sunda Pangolins held in ex situ situations
Mandai Nature also supported research on the ecology of the Sunda Pangolin in Singapore. Researchers collected genetic samples to learn more about the species’ dispersal movements, home range and habitat selection for wild, rescued and released pangolins. Nine pangolins were also radio tracked to complement camera trap efforts by the National Parks Board to estimate local populations.
An important focus on the conservation of Sunda Pangolins in Singapore is on healthcare, rescue and rehabilitation efforts. The species is closely monitored in Singapore and all reported cases of deceased or injured pangolins, as well as healthy individuals found in unsuitable urban spaces or that are at risk of injury, are rescued by National Parks Board or ACRES and brought to Mandai Wildlife Group’s animal hospital. All pangolins are then examined thoroughly at the animal hospital, where treatment and rehabilitation, or post-mortem examinations, are carried out as necessary.
On average, Mandai Wildlife Group provides care for about 20 rescued pangolins a year. Health examinations of the rescued animals allow for the opportunity to investigate the health condition of individuals and the population in general, and improve healthcare for this sensitive species that is difficult to keep under human care. Important advances include successful fracture repair, wound management and hand raising of young. The opportunity is also taken to improve techniques such as semen collection and storage for research and conservation purposes. Pangolins that recover and are suitable to be released back to the wild, are released into appropriate natural habitats by NParks.
The Singapore Pangolin Working Group (SPWG) was formed in 2014 following the first IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group Conservation Conference in Singapore, and is co-chaired by Mandai Nature.
Pangolin conservation and research projects across Singapore have been coordinated through SPWG and its stakeholders from government agencies, non-governmental organisations, educational institutions, and individuals. Members of the SPWG include ACRES, Conservation International SIngapore, Mandai Nature, Mandai Wildlife Group, Nanyang Technological University, National Institute of Education, National Parks Board, National University of Singapore, Strix Wildlife Consultancy, The Pangolin Story and other individuals involved in pangolin conservation.
