Europes first pangobaby is thriving

Prague Zoo’s female Chinese pangolin is the first of these scaly mammals to be born in Europe. Photo: Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

“We can’t really say to what extent Šiška is still dependent on breast milk, but she is consuming ever greater doses of a special porridge made from the larvae of drones, which her parents also feed on,” explained Miroslav Bobek, Prague Zoo’s director. “Theoretically, we could now state that she has been successfully reared – the first baby pangolin to be weaned in Europe – but we'd rather wait a few more weeks.”

Pangolins are the only mammals to be covered in scales. There are eight species living in sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia. They are currently endangered due to hunting and illegal trade and Prague Zoo is fully involved in their conservation.

Prague Zoo is one of just two European zoos where you can see Chinese pangolins. Photo: Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo