Hsuan-Yi Lo explains that the breeding season for pangolins usually lasts from spring to autumn. Keepers are responsible for pairing them. To prevent fights or stress-related illnesses, males and females are first kept in separate rooms where they can smell but not see each other. Once they are comfortable, they are gradually introduced.

Pangolins do not show clear signs when they are ready to mate, and they do not have known mating calls or courtship behaviors. If a male and female pangolin like each other, the male will attempt to embrace the female. If the female accepts, she will not resist.

Pangolin Breeding Program

Monitor mating via cameras

→Analyze hormones to confirm pregnancy

→Use ultrasound to check fetal growth

→Measure newborn features

→Record juvenile behavior

→Help juveniles switch food

(Source: Taipei Zoo )

◎ How to Train Captive Pangolins for the Wild?

Young pangolins are naturally attracted to ants. Once they reach a certain age, they instinctively eat ants when they come close to their mouths. Because of this, no special training is needed for feeding. However, pangolins rescued from the wild need training to help them regain survival skills before they can be released back into nature.

◎ How Can Pangolins Learn to Avoid Predators?

This remains a major challenge for researchers. Pangolins move slowly, and their biggest threat in the wild is stray dogs. The zoo has tried to train pangolins to avoid hunting dogs, but the process is extremely difficult. The training must be done without harming the pangolins, yet it should not make them accustomed to the presence of dogs. Because of these challenges, past attempts have not been successful.

Currently, the zoo is still exploring and improving the breeding and rearing process for pangolins. There are many challenges that need to be overcome to ensure better survival rates for these animals.