The Brookfield Zoo is celebrating a major milestone—the recent birth of an ultra-rare white-bellied pangolin or “pangopup.”
Here are some fun facts about the critter and when you can visit.
Say hello to the Brookfield Zoo’s new pangopup friend
A baby female white-bellied pangolin was born at the Brookfield Zoo to 11-year-old mother Virginia on June 8.
Pangolins are small, nocturnal mammals native to portions of Central and Western Africa, according to the zoo.
The creatures are unique within the animal kingdom for their full-body protective scales and ability to curl into a tight ball when threatened by predators.
This recent pangolin birth comes just several months after the birth of a male pangolin baby in February of this year.
Both pangolin births are a major conservation win for the highly-endangered mammals, and a marker of success for the Brookfield Zoo’s ongoing pangolin cultivation efforts.
“Every pangolin birth is a special moment, but welcoming two pangopups in a single year is an extraordinary milestone and testament to a decade of dedication by our animal care team,” said Brookfield Zoo associate Racquel Ardisana.
Right now, the baby pangopups are thriving behind the scenes at the zoo, tracking critical development milestones and bonding with their parents.
For now, guests can visit the Brookfield Zoo’s adult pangolin populations at the Habitat Africa! The Forest exhibit.
Learn more and plan your next zoo trip here.
