Department of Sports, Taipei City Government

Taipei Zoo participates in the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Program by the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency to protect pangolins. In late October and early November 2024, the zoo announced exciting news: On October 25, pangolin “穿莓Chuan Mei” gave birth to a male baby, and on November 9, pangolin “生多Sheng Duo” welcomed a female baby. It is noteworthy that both mother pangolins were rescued and subsequently deemed unsuitable for reintroduction into the wild, resulting in their permanent care at the Taipei Zoo. To commemorate the one-month milestone of "Chuan Mei's" offspring, the zoo is inviting the public to participate in a naming contest for the two pangolin infants. The purpose of this campaign is to increase public awareness regarding pangolins and the effects stray animals have on native wildlife. Participants in the naming contest will have the opportunity to win a "Pangolin Conservation Gift Pack."

At the 2024 annual conference of the Southeast Asian Zoos and Aquariums Association (SEAZA), hosted by the Taipei Zoo, numerous international attendees visited the Formosan Animal Area with great interest to observe the highly anticipated pangolins. On the evening before the zoo's anniversary event on October 25th, pangolin "穿莓Chuan Mei" delivered a healthy male offspring. A few attentive guests had the fortunate opportunity to observe "穿莓Chuan Mei" gently cradling her newborn. Two weeks later, pangolin "生多Sheng Duo" gave birth to a healthy female pangolin. The zoo's care team was delighted by these births. Despite the challenges faced by "Chuan Mei" and "Sheng Duo" before their rescue, the team hopes this news highlights the difficulties encountered by wildlife.

In 2016, an injured pangolin named "Chuan Mei" was found in the Miaoli area and brought to the zoo for medical treatment after sustaining severe injuries to her right rear foot from a stray dog attack. Her foot was amputated to preserve her life. The father of Chuan Mei's offspring, "Dong Bao", was also brought to the zoo in 2014 following a stray dog attack, which resulted in the loss of half of his tail due to significant injuries. Both "Chuan Mei" and "Dong Bao" were participants in the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency’s rescue initiative. In 2023, the female pangolin "Sheng Duo" was discovered in Nantou County with puncture wounds on her abdomen and a severely fractured tail, resulting from an attack by stray dogs. After receiving initial treatment at the Taiwan Biodiversity Research Institute's rescue center, she was subsequently transferred to the Taipei Zoo for further care. Following their recovery, these three pangolins were evaluated and determined to be unsuitable for reintroduction into the wild. The zoo subsequently provided them with a permanent habitat. In addition to enhancing the genetic diversity of the ex-situ pangolin population, their challenging experiences serve as valuable educational resources, promoting awareness about wildlife conservation and the importance of managing stray animals.

The cases of "Chuan Mei," "Dong Bao," and "Sheng Duo" illustrate a significant threat to wildlife in Taiwan—attacks by stray animals. Unfortunately, many wildlife victims are not as fortunate as these pangolins; they often go unnoticed and do not receive timely intervention or enter the rescue system. Most cases involve wildlife that suffer from severe injuries or delays in receiving assistance. The Taipei Zoo advises the public to avoid abandoning companion animals, always leash them when outdoors to protect both wildlife and pets, and refrain from feeding stray animals to prevent their population growth. Collective efforts are necessary to ensure that pangolins and other native wildlife can thrive in their natural habitats.

Taipei Zoo is holding a naming contest for two rare pangolin babies to promote pangolin conservation. Voting runs from November 26, 2024, to December 8, 2024, with results announced when "Sheng Duo's" baby turns one month old. Nominees for "Chuan Mei's Baby" include: "梅子動Mei Zi Dong," "莓寶Mei Bao" (nominated by China Airlines), "龍莓邁Long Mei Mai" (nominated by Taiwan Life Insurance), and "SEAZA希薩" (reflecting the birth witnessed at the SEAZA conference).

For "生多Sheng Duo's Baby," nominees are "多莉Dolly" (suggested by the zoo's care team), "奪冠Duo Guan" (symbolizing an inspiring survival story), and "檸檬多多Lemon Duo Duo" (suggested by the Biodiversity Research Institute’s rescue team). Visit the voting website for more details. Voting starts on November 26, 2024.

We invite you to visit the pangolin naming contest website and choose a great name for the pangolin babies! Voters will have a chance to win a "Pangolin Conservation Gift Pack!"

The Taipei Zoo is holding a public vote to name their baby pangolins. The adult pangolins, "Chuan Mei" and "Sheng Duo," were injured in stray dog attacks and now live at the zoo. They are thriving under care and have welcomed new babies. Learn their stories and vote online to name the baby pangolins.