New white-bellied pangolins now at Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is helping to preserve a species that’s become a target of poachers.

The zoo welcomed three white-bellied pangolins, which are one of eight pangolin species that are native to Africa and Asia.

Wild populations of pangolins are diminishing and facing extinction. Over the past 10 years, more than a million have been poached from the wild for food in the illegal bush meat trade, for their use in Asian medicines and for their scales, which are made into jewelry, according to a news release by the zoo.

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The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is joining six other U.S. zoos in a consortium that will work to strengthen the population of these animals.

"This is very exciting for us to be involved in such a major conservation effort," said Ken Kaemmerer, curator of mammals at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. "The research information that we can learn and share with others is going to be a huge plus in conservation efforts worldwide. We also have the opportunity to educate millions of visitors to the dire situation facing these distinctive animals in the wild."

The zoo hopes to begin a breeding program with the two female and one male pangolins now in its care.

White-bellied pangolins have a cone-shaped head, long tail and body that is covered in sharp scales. The look similar to anteaters. They eat ants and termites.

Cox Media Group