Pangolins are losing their homes
The biggest threat to the pangolin population in Singapore is the loss of their natural habitat to urban and industrial development. The rapid urbanization and population explosion in Singapore has resulted in the loss of more than 95% of our tropical forests. Today, only approximately 100 hectares of primary forest and 1600 hectares of tall secondary forest are left. These forests are mostly fragmented into small pockets and interspersed by buildings, residential areas and roads.
The forest environment is very important to the pangolins. Studies done in Singapore have found that the Sunda pangolins showed a preference for secondary forests over other habitat types such as plantations or urban areas. Adult male pangolins in particular have been observed spending much time resting within the canopy of tall trees (>5m). Female pangolins were spotted using the hollows of big trees as natal dens. Such trees can only be found in reasonably mature forests, which are becoming more and more limited as our population increases. Without suitable natal dens, the reproduction rates of the pangolins may decrease, limiting their population sustainability in Singapore.
Pangolin roadkill at Sixth Avenue
The loss of habitat has led pangolins to wander out of the forest and into human territories. They have been seen in numerous locations outside of their natural habitats and were even spotted making use of urban structures like drains or houses to rest during the day. These pangolins also stumble onto roads at night, where they often end up as road kill because of their slow gait.
Poaching
Pangolins are one of the commonly poached animals in Singapore. Poachers lay snares, traps, cages and nets in hopes of catching a pangolin for its meat. Such illegal trapping activities can be carried out in any of Singapore’s green areas, although they occur more frequently in parks and nature reserves. Most of the traps are laid at night, when park rangers and officials have left for the day.
It is unknown how many pangolins are poached in Singapore every year; however it is believed that such illegal hunting and trapping activities are limited.
Sunda pangolins are protected under the Wild Animals and Birds Act where “Any person who kills, takes or keeps any wild animal or bird, other than those specified in the schedule, without a licence shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and to the forfeiture of the wild animal or bird.”