One of the domitory common rooms in Nanyang
Technological University (NTU) received a rare visitor on Tuesday
(Nov 22) morning.
A young pangolin got lost in a common room at Hall of
Residence 6. It was later rescued and sent back to the wild that
day.
The wild mammal was huddled against the wall of the
room when rescuers from the Animal Concerns Research and Education
Society (Acres) turned up slightly before 10am.
There were two holes in the door, and the pangolin
probably used one of them to enter, and made it larger, Acres
wildlife group director Kalai Balakrishnan told The Straits
Times.
The pangolin likely got lost in the "urban jungle"
wandering through drains or after crossing a road, he said in a
Facebook 'live' video, which was posted on Tuesday.
It's not clear if the pangolin was a male or female,
but it was not quite adult-size, Mr Kalai said.
Shortly after the rescue, he released the animal in a
nearby forest about 30m away from where it was found.
He chose a spot about 20m into the forest, which had a
number of fallen tree trunks.
As the pangolin was released, Mr Kalai said: "A lot of
fallen tree trunks and rotting logs, this is the sort of habitat
they will like, there will be termites here, ants for him."
After setting the cage down, Mr Kalai gently turned the
pangolin to face the open cage door.
The nocturnal animal sniffed at the opening before
venturing out and walking into the forest.
While this pangolin was not in danger, it needed help
getting back home.
"Most of the times in Singapore, wild animals get lost
in our urban jungle and just need a bit of help to get relocated
back safely into a natural habitat," Mr Kalai said.
This is the second pangolin rescue Acres has conducted
in NTU this year.
While pangolins are safe from poaching in Singapore, it
is endangered in many other places due to wildlife trafficking.
Pangolins are sought after in China and other parts of
Asia for their meat, skin and scales. The skin and scales are used
in traditional medicine and to make boots and shoes.
The National Parks Board (NParks) estimates that there
are more than 100 wild pangolins here.
Last month, a python was found in NTU's Hall 15. The
snake was captured and taken away by a pest control service.
Call the Acres wildlife rescue hotline at 9783 7782 if
you spot wild animals in a tight spot.
got videos here!
