The Formosan pangolin (Manis pentadactyla pentadactyla), a subspecies unique to Taiwan and officially listed as a rare and valuable species, is receiving renewed attention thanks to an innovative research initiative led by Assistant Professor Ching-Min Sun and his team at the Institute of Wildlife Conservation, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST).

With strong backing from the National Science and Technology Council and Ministry of Agriculture, the research team has established a community-based reporting system and employed radio telemetry to track pangolin movements, estimate population sizes, and analyze reproductive behavior. In a pioneering study, they investigated whether pangolins, frequently suffering tail amputations due to roaming dog attacks, can still successfully reproduce, while also identifying the challenges wounded mothers face in raising their young.

Delving deeper into pangolin diets and seasonal feeding patterns, the researchers uncovered crucial insights into the interconnected roles of pangolins, termites, and plant detritus within the local food web. This knowledge is shaping a sustainable, locally adapted conservation model—one that fosters ecological awareness while supporting community-based eco-industries.

Globally, pangolins are in crisis. Populations have plummeted due to relentless poaching and demand for traditional medicine. While Taiwan’s pangolin numbers have stabilized in recent years, their survival remains precarious. These elusive creatures primarily inhabit low-elevation hill regions near human settlements, where habitat degradation, gin traps, and stray dog attacks pose severe threats. According to a decade of data from the Biodiversity Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture, over 70% of injured pangolins were victims of dog attacks—many suffering tail injuries that hinder their ability to carry and care for offspring.

Guided by the Taiwan Pangolin Conservation Action Plan, the research team has carried out ecological and community-based conservation efforts in Kaohsiung’s hilly terrain. Their work has yielded extraordinary findings, including the documentation of pangolin maternal care in the wild—footage that has garnered international attention, including a feature by the BBC. Complementing in-situ efforts, the Taipei Zoo has contributed to ex-situ conservation by sending pangolins to institutions such as the Leipzig Zoo in Germany and the Prague Zoo in the Czech Republic, amplifying Taiwan’s role in global pangolin conservation.

These collaborative research and outreach initiatives are not only strengthening conservation strategies but also inspiring a united movement among local communities, NGOs, and government bodies—fostering a shared responsibility for the survival of this remarkable species.

Media Contact：
Ling-Chin Chou
Program Manager
Department of Life Sciences
National Science and Technology Council 
Phone: +886-02-2737-7546 
E-mail: lcchou@nstc.gov.tw