Captive breeding of pangolins: current status, problems and future prospects

Abstract

Pangolins are unique placental mammals with eight species existing in the world, which have adapted to a highly specialized diet of ants and termites, and are of significance in the control of forest termite disaster. Besides their ecological value, pangolins are extremely important economic animals with the value as medicine and food. At present, illegal hunting and habitat destruction have drastically decreased the wild population of pangolins, pushing them to the edge of extinction. Captive breeding is an important way to protect these species, but because of pangolin’s specialized behaviors and high dependence on natural ecosystem, there still exist many technical barriers to successful captive breeding programs. In this paper, based on the literatures and our practical experience, we reviewed the status and existing problems in captive breeding of pangolins, including four aspects, the naturalistic habitat, dietary husbandry, reproduction and disease control. Some recommendations are presented for effective captive breeding and protection of pangolins.

Transcriptomic analysis identifies genes and pathways related to myrmecophagy in the Malayan pangolin (Manis javanica)

“…Pangolins also have a well-developed muscular system for fossorial or arboreal behavior and a remarkable olfactory system (Choo et al, 2016). As predators of ants and termites, pangolins have a specialized diet and perform an important ecological role in regulating insect populations (Hua et al, 2015). Individual adult pangolins have been estimated to consume more than 70 million insects annually and pangolins provide an important regulatory function in controlling both ants and termites (Hua et al, 2015; Pietersen et al, 2016; Yang et al, 2007).…”

“…The numbers of M. javanica in the wild have been dramatically declining for several reasons. A major threat is the rapid loss and deterioration of their natural habitat as a result of deforestation; illegal hunting, which might reflect the pangolin’s economic value; and human agricultural expansion (Hua et al, 2015). Therefore, artificial breeding may be the best choice for ensuring pangolin survival.…”

“…Therefore, artificial breeding may be the best choice for ensuring pangolin survival. A suitable artificial diet is one of the critical limiting factors in raising pangolins in captivity because they can have many digestive problems (Hua et al, 2015). Pangolins have adapted to a highly specialized diet of ants and termites; thus it is difficult to replace their natural food completely by artificial food (Hua et al, 2015; Yang et al, 2007).…”

“…A suitable artificial diet is one of the critical limiting factors in raising pangolins in captivity because they can have many digestive problems (Hua et al, 2015). Pangolins have adapted to a highly specialized diet of ants and termites; thus it is difficult to replace their natural food completely by artificial food (Hua et al, 2015; Yang et al, 2007). Pangolins favor high-protein, high-fat, and high-calorie food, and they have the notable ability to digest and absorb chitin in the digestive system (Hua et al, 2015; Yang et al, 2007).…”

“…Pangolins have adapted to a highly specialized diet of ants and termites; thus it is difficult to replace their natural food completely by artificial food (Hua et al, 2015; Yang et al, 2007). Pangolins favor high-protein, high-fat, and high-calorie food, and they have the notable ability to digest and absorb chitin in the digestive system (Hua et al, 2015; Yang et al, 2007). Chitin is a linear polymer of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase subunits linked by a beta-1, 4 glycosidic bond and is one of the constituents of insect exoskeletons and the peritrophic membranes of ants (Kawashima et al, 2016).…”