Singapore sits in a geographical region of diversity — of peoples and biodiversity — called Sundaland. This is the home-range of the Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica), a scaly and elusive mammal that thus calls the tropical rainforests of Singapore home.
You may have heard of pangolins, given their reputation as the most trafficked mammal in the world. Did you know that there are 8 species of pangolins today? They can be found in forest or grassland habitats across Asia and Africa. In spite of all species being protected under national or international laws, they are all at high risk of extinction in the wild.
Sunda Pangolins in Singapore
This species is classified as Critically Endangered in the Singapore Red Data Book 2008 and globally on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Regionally, this is primarily due to poaching and the illegal trade of pangolin products such as its scales and meat, which are delicacies in some cultures and believed to have medicinal properties. However, in Singapore the main threats to pangolins are habitat loss and alteration as well as vehicles on roads.
Even though there isn’t much of a demand for pangolin products locally, Singapore’s role as a major transshipment regional hub means that pangolin products often pass through our shores before reaching markets elsewhere in the world. In recent years, Singapore Customs has seen a record number of illegal shipments of pangolin scales passing through; with 12.9 tonnes (estimated to come from a staggering 17,000 pangolins) seized on 3 April 2019, 12.7 tonnes seized on 8 April 2019, and 11.9 tonnes seized on 21 July 2019.
Pangolins typically live in burrows or trees, forage for ants and termites, and are nocturnal. In Singapore, they can also be seen wandering in urban settings, on roads and fences. Unfortunately, pangolins are not adapted to cross highways with vehicles travelling at high speed, so they do end up as roadkill. From January to July 2021, a record number of ten cases of pangolin roadkills were reported.
Given that pangolins are super elusive, it is difficult to determine a reliable estimate of their population in Singapore. More research is needed to understand the population dynamics of Sunda pangolins in Singapore’s urban environment.
According to the Singapore Pangolin Working Group (SPWG), the wild pangolin population in Singapore is relatively stable and healthy. An indication of this is that most of the rescued or injured pangolins brought in to the expert veterinary team at Wildlife Reserves Singapore are relatively healthy individuals.This includes juveniles, pregnant female pangolins, and even pangolins with young ones clinging onto mum’s tail.
Working Together to Protect Pangolins
Locally, efforts to protect and conserve pangolins are coordinated through the SPWG. It was formed in 2014 to facilitate pangolin conservation, research, rescue, and outreach, while improving collaboration among stakeholders — such as government agencies, non-governmental organisations, educational institutions, and individuals. Its aim is to increase awareness and drive the conservation of Sunda pangolins in Singapore.
In 2018, a Sunda Pangolin National Conservation Strategy and Action Plan was developed by the SPWG to coordinate efforts relating to pangolin ecology, habitat protection, rescue, rehabilitation, release, and education.
Under the plan, efforts have been made to improve knowledge on the species; for example, through research to improve tagging and tracking techniques, and establishing population distribution and trends via a network of camera traps in Singapore’s reserves and parks.
Additionally, there have also been efforts to enable pangolins and terrestrial fauna to cross roads and highways, such as wildlife bridges and culverts. The first of such wildlife crossings, the Eco-Link @ Bukit Timah Expressway, was initiated by the National Parks Board in 2014 and planted with native trees and shrubs to improve forest connectivity and minimise roadkill. Through camera trap footage, we know that pangolins are among the users of this bridge!
How You Can Help to Protect Pangolins
In order to ensure that pangolins continue to call Singapore’s forests home, we can all play our part. Spread the word and share these pangolin-friendly tips!
- Do not buy or consume pangolin products such as its scales and meat.
- Drive carefully around nature reserves and parks.
- If you’re lucky enough to encounter a pangolin in the wild, remain calm and stay at a respectful distance from it. Importantly, document and record your pangolin sighting with the SPWG. Do not publicly reveal the location/GPS of your sighting.
- If you find a pangolin injured, dead, or poached, please call these 24-hour emergency hotlines:
- Animal Concerns Research and Education Society: 9783 7782
- National Parks Board: 1800 476 1600
- Be curious — keep learning about our native wildlife, their issues, and how we can protect them.