Prague Zoo´s pangolins introduced to the public

As of this afternoon, visitors to Prague Zoo can admire a pair of Chinese pangolins. Pictured here is the male Guo Bao. Photo Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

“The Taiwanese journalists asked me if the pangolins would be superstars in our zoo. I told them that they probably wouldn’t be for the general public, more likely they would be for those interested in nature and its conservation,” said Miroslav Bobek. “I think that the most important thing is that we now have a kind of ambassador for a very endangered and extremely interesting group of animals.”

Both pangolins, the male Guo Bao and the female Run Hou Tang, were born at Taipei Zoo, which is the leading pangolin breeder. Prague Zoo has now become the only Czech zoo and one of only two in Europe that can claim to have these scaly mammals. However, the main motivation for breeding them is due to the threats they face. In Africa and Asia, pangolins are hunted on a huge scale and have long been among the most illegally traded mammals in the world.

Prior to the actual presentation of the pangolins, there was a special programme that mainly took place at the entrance to the Indonesian Jungle. It was opened by a dance performance from the Czech-Indonesian group, Kintari, and an introductory speech by Prague Zoo’s director Miroslav Bobek. Afterwards, their keeper, David Vala, told visitors about the pitfalls of breeding pangolins and assisted by the celebrity chefs Roman Paulus and Marek Fichtner, demonstrated the demanding preparation of a special nutritious mash for them, the main component of which is bee larvae. Those interested could then watch the first public feeding of the pangolin pair.

Afterwards, the moderator Karel Voříšek interviewed both Prague Zoo’s director, Miroslav Bobek, and the guests - the Mayor of Prague, Zdeněk Hřib, and his deputy, Petr Hlubuček.

“The pangolins’ original Taiwanese names were rather a mouthful for us to pronounce. So, we let the public choose new nicknames for them via a voting poll on the Pražan portal. In the end, Hugo and Fazolka won,” said Zdeněk Hřib.

Before the event’s highlight - the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the entrance to the pavilion's nocturnal exhibition - the head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Czech Republic, Liang-Ruey Ke, together with representatives of Prague Zoo and Prague City Hall, gave a symbolic toast to the pair.

We Help Them To Survive

Prague Zoo also strives to protect pangolins in their homeland, be that in Central Africa or in South Asia. Pointing out the important work of the conservation projects Miroslav Bobek said, “In Cameroon, we support the rangers of the protected areas and, as part of the Wandering Bus project, we are trying to reduce hunting by raising awareness and educating the local population. In Laos and Sumatra, we have funded the construction of rescue stations for pangolins.”

You too can continue to support the conservation of the pangolins and other species by transferring any amount you want to the We Help Them To Survive collection account (account no.: 43-680 466 0247/0100) or by buying souvenirs at Prague Zoo’s e-shop in the We Help Them Survive section. And, finally, of course, by visiting Prague Zoo