Mother & baby pangolin found dead along road near Bukit Brown, believed to be victims of traffic

While travelling along Kheam Hock Road near Bukit Brown, a Facebook user stumbled upon a heartbreaking scene of two dead pangolins laying along the road.

The pangolins, which looked to be a mother-child pair, seemed to have been struck by a vehicle.

Drive slower

In a Jan. 15 post on Facebook group Singapore Wildlife Sightings, user Shaun Jeremiah shared that he came across the dead pangolins along Kheam Hock Road.

He surmised that the pangolins were a mother and child trying to cross the two-way road.

"I had to stop and move them to prevent further damage to the carcasses," Shaun wrote.

"My heart breaks for these beautiful but critically endangered pangolins," he continued.

He also urged motorists to drive with caution and look out for wildlife, especially in forested areas.

Based on the photos, the site of the incident appeared to near where Kheam Hock Road passes under the PIE, near Bukit Brown.

The pangolins's mouths were seen bloodied, and their scales appeared to have been stained red.

Splotches of red were also seen on the road.

Warning: Graphic images

In the comments section, users expressed sadness at the death of the pangolins.

One user pointed out that it can be difficult for drivers to spot wildlife whilst driving, to which Shaun replied that slowing down might help reduce the severity of injuries in the event wildlife are struck.

Mothership has reached out to Shaun Jeremiah for more information.

Sunda pangolins in Singapore

Sunda pangolins, or Manis javanica, are native to Singapore and the rest of Southeast Asia.

They are listed as "critically endangered" in the Singapore Red Data Book 2024.

This means there are fewer than 50 mature individuals, or more than 50 but fewer than 250 mature individuals, left in the wild.

According to the National Parks Board (NParks), pangolins in Singapore face the greatest threat from roadkill.

The slow-moving pangolins may be injured or killed by vehicles when they stray off too far from the forested areas onto roads.

Globally, they are considered the world's most trafficked mammal and are threatened by poachers for their meat and scales.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare notes that their scales and claws are used in traditional medicine, and they are considered a delicacy in parts of Asia.

Encountering a pangolin

While pangolins are shy and will not attack humans, members of the public are advised to leave pangolins alone instead of attempting to touch, chase, or corner them, which can frighten them.

If you've spotted a pangolin, you can also submit a record here to the Singapore Pangolin Working Group, and contribute to its conservation efforts.

However, if you encounter a pangolin that appears to be in any danger, or is injured, do contact Acres at 9783 7782 or NParks at 1800-476-1600.

Lastly, in the event that you witness any illegal trading or poaching, taking photographic and/or videographic evidence of the traps, snares, nets, trapped animals, poachers, and/or the vehicle license plate number will be useful in apprehending the perpetrator.

You can also call NParks' hotline at 1800-471-7300 or contact the police.

Top image via Shaun Jeremiah / Facebook