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There are 8 species of Pangolins found in Asia and Africa. Among them, the Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) is an endangered insectivorous mammal found only in Asia. Hematology and serum chemistry reference intervals are critical for evaluating an animal's well-being and can be useful for clinical diagnostic purposes. Currently, there are no s...
Citations
... Preoperative Routine blood biochemical testing (Mindray, BC-5000, automatic blood cell analyzer, Shen Zhen, China) showed that the pangolin had a higher white blood cell (WBC) count than those previously reported for Taiwanese pangolin (WBC count: 12.29 × 10 9 /L, reference interval [RI]: 3.50 ~ 11.2 × 10 9 /L), and amylase levels than those previously reported for Taiwanese pangolin (WMY count: 61 U/L, reference interval [RI]: 148 ~ 538 U/L) [11,12]. These test results suggested that this pangolin had mild inflammation and mild dehydration. ...
Background
Hemangiomas are a relatively common type of tumor in humans and animals. Various subtypes of hemangiomas have been described in the literature. The classification methods for hemangiomas differ between human and veterinary medicine, and the basis for tumor classification can be found in the literature.
Case presentation
This study describes a tumor in the subcutaneous tissue of the right dorsum of an artificially rescued juvenile Chinese pangolin. Computed tomography (CT) examination yielded the preliminary diagnosis of a vascular malformation, and surgery was performed to resect the tumor. Histopathological examination showed that the tumor mainly was consisted of adipose tissue, capillaries, and spindle cells in the fibrous stroma. Immunohistochemistry showed the positive expression of CD31, CD34, α-SMA, GLUT1 and WT-1 in the tumor tissue, and the tumor was eventually diagnosed as an infantile haemangioma.
Conclusion
The final diagnosis of infantile hemangioma was depended on the histopathological immunohistochemical and CT examination of the neoplastic tissue. This is the first report of infantile hemangioma in a critically endangered species Chinese pangolin.
... Ethics approval for our animal use protocol for blood withdrawal was granted by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Taipei Zoo (permit number 10602). Well-trained and experienced veterinarians carried out all clinical monitoring and examinations following the protocol prescribed in Chin, Lien 12,111 . The methodology used in the study complies with the ARRIVE guidelines and regulations. ...
... Pangolins were removed from the gas chamber once they started losing their response. Clinical variables such as heart rate, blood oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ), and rectal temperature were carefully monitored 111 . The blood samples were withdrawn using a 1.25 inches needle carefully inserted to the depth of 2 cm in the coccygeal vein along the tail's ventral midline. ...
The reproductive uniqueness of pangolins has been documented through diverse biological reports with discernible data discrepancies in gestation, copulation, and pregnancy. These mechanistic reproductive differences have yet to be endocrinologically quantified, which could assist in optimizing natural breeding in zoos to recover endangered species. The present research characterizes the Chinese pangolin's annual seasonal reproductive pattern by measuring immunoreactive estrogens and progestagens in 34 captive females and testosterone in 29 captive males. Our results showed that Chinese pangolins are seasonal breeders, with most births witnessed during Sept–Dec, overlapping with the field records. Females exhibited spontaneous ovulation and post-partum ovulation. Pregnant females exhibited a higher P4 level for ~ 9 months (Jan–Sept) and decreased before parturition (Oct–Dec). The circulating E2 is maintained at the baseline in pregnant females year-round. Contrastingly, in non-pregnant females, P4 is maintained at the baseline, apart from a slight elevation in January, and E2 demonstrates a sudden hike from November and remains elevated until February, suggesting the onset of ovulation. The serum testosterone concentration in males peaked during October, which is in sync with the female ovulation period. As a result that their major reproductive events, ovulation, mating, and parturition, all transpire in November-March. Evidence also supports that Chinese pangolins exhibit signs of postimplantation (pregnancy) ranging only from 5 to 6 months (May–Oct), preceded by possible facultative delay implantation triggered by lactation. The provided data not only fill in the knowledge gap for this critically endangered species but can also assist in making informed decisions, which can directly affect the successful breeding of this species in captivity.
... Routine blood biochemical testing (Mindray, BC5000, automatic blood cell analyzer, ShenZhen, China) showed that the pangolin had a higher Phosphatase (PHOS) count and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) levels but lower amylase, Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), and Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) levels than those previously reported for Taiwanese [8,9]. These test results suggest that this pangolin might be dehydrated. ...
Background
Escherichia fergusonii is a common conditionally pathogenic bacterium that infects humans and animals. E. fergusonii has been reported to cause diarrhea, respiratory disease, and septicemia, but it is rarely reported to cause skin infections in animals. E. fergusonii has been isolated from the skin and muscular tissue of Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla aurita). To date, there have been no reports of Chinese pangolins with clinical signs of skin diseases.
Case presentation
This case report describes the clinical case of a subadult (bodyweight: 1.1 kg) female Chinese pangolin from wild rescue with pustules and subcutaneous suppurative infection due to E. fergusonii in the abdominal skin. Bacterial culture, Biochemical analysis, PCR and histopathology were utilized to identify the bacteria in the pustule puncture fluid and infected tissue. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of E. fergusonii-related pustules on a Chinese pangolin.
Conclusion
This case report presents the first observed skin infection in a Chinese pangolin. E. fergusonii infection should be considered as a possible differential diagnosis of pustules and subcutaneous suppurative skin conditions in Chinese pangolins, and we also provide several recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
... Blood gas analysis can provide valuable information about the cardiopulmonary and acid-base status of a critically ill veterinary patient [23,24]. Several studies have evaluated the hematological and serum biochemical parameters in the Sunda pangolin and Chinese pangolin from various regions of the world [14,16,17,25,26], but blood gas analysis results from these two pangolin species have not been reported. To the best of our knowledge, there is only one report of blood gas values in pangolins, but these values were described in the white-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) [27]. ...
... The K + and Na + concentrations in the blood samples of the Sunda and Chinese pangolins in this study were similar to the ranges reported by Jennifer et al. (2021) [17], Ahmad et al. (2018) [16], and Khatri-Chhetri et al. (2015) [26]. These data may indicate the normal ranges of K + and Na + in wild healthy Sunda and Chinese pangolins. ...
Venous blood gas analytes are commonly examined in animals, and the results may be important when evaluating the overall health status of an animal. Pangolins are critically endangered mammals, and there is limited information on their physiological reference values in the literature. The aim of this study was to analyze venous blood gas and biochemical parameters before and during isoflurane anesthesia in wild healthy Sunda and Chinese pangolins. The results obtained showed that the blood gas index trends of the two pangolin species before and after isoflurane anesthesia were the same. After anesthesia, the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2), partial pressure of oxygen (pO2), total carbon dioxide (CO2), mean blood bicarbonate (HCO3−), extracellular fluid compartment (BEecf) base excess and the mean blood glucose (Glu) levels of both pangolin species showed a significant increase compared to the pre-anesthesia period. In contrast, the mean blood potassium (K+), lactate (Lac) and mean blood pH levels were significantly lower. No significant differences in the mean blood sodium (Na+) or blood ionized calcium (iCa) levels were observed during anesthesia. This study is important for future comparisons and understanding the health status of this endangered species.
... Due to the absence of rescue cases, no sampling took place in January, February, and October. Anesthetization, serum collection, and processing followed the protocol established by Khatri-Chhetri, et al. [26]. The processed samples were stored at −20 • C until hormone analysis. ...
Pangolins are under severe threat of surging poaching rates globally; therefore, there is a demand to ascertain reproductive measures to ensure captive breeding and management strategies. Due to the absence of substantial information on the pangolin, endocrinology and reproductive physiology studies around the globe are merely based on captive observations that have failed to report the chronographs and hormonal cyclicity of the reproductive events. This study attempts to evaluate the annual pattern of reproductive steroids (estradiol-17β and progesterone) and prolactin in 16 wild female Taiwanese pangolins rehabilitated by Pingtung Rescue Center of Endangered Wild Animals, Taiwan. Novel immunoassays, i.e., chemiluminometric assays, have been used to quantify the serum reproductive steroids and contribute to a better understanding of the endocrine correlates of function in the Taiwanese pangolin. The hematological findings were characterized by monthly median concentration. The circulating reproductive hormones demonstrated seasonal reproductive activity by confirming a peak in serum estradiol concentrations in December and considerably higher progesterone concentrations in November/December, and March/April. The rise in prolactin in December and peak values in April suggest participation in the ovulatory process and mating. Collectively, these findings can help maximize the reproductive efficiency of pangolin species in captivity, i.e., by timely pairing and prioritizing the care of the breeding pairs to optimize breeding efforts and, therefore, effectively support conservation breeding programs and restore the natural population in the ecosystems.
... Pangolins were live captured for radio-tracking with permission granted by the Taiwan Forestry Bureau (permit numbers 1011701139, 1031700176, and 1050143346) as required by the Wildlife Conservation Act, 2013. All clinical examinations were carried out by experienced veterinarians following procedures described in Khatri-Chhetri et al. 13 and all methods were carried out in accordance with the ARRIVE guidelines and regulations. This research is part of the "Pangolin biology and ecology project", a long-term study conducted by the Institute of Wildlife Conservation, NPUST since 2009. ...
Observations of Chinese pangolin ( Manis pentadactyla ) in the wild are extremely rare and challenging because of their nocturnal and cryptic activity patterns and low population density. The present article reported the first field observation in eastern Taiwan, from October 4, 2012 to June 16, 2016, on the reproductive behavior of the Chinese pangolin based on the monitoring of a female (LF28) using radiotelemetry and camera traps. During this period, LF28 aged from 1–4.5 years old and gave two single-births, both took place in early December, at 3 and 4 years old, respectively. We recorded the entire 157 days of the first nursing period from parturition to maternal separation. For the second infant, the gestation period was estimated to be around 150 days based on the evidence that the pregnancy started in early Jul. 2015 and the offspring was born on Dec. 9, 2015. During the entire nursing period, LF28 frequently moved the offspring from one nursing burrow to another staying various durations ranging from 1 day to more than 35 days, and almost all (= 15/16) of these burrows were located in the core (MCP75) of LF28’s home range. Started from the month of parturition and lasting throughout the whole nursing period, different adult males constantly visiting the nursing burrows were recorded. Mating behavior was recorded once outside the burrow in March, which provided evidence of the occurrence of post-partum estrus in this species. Delayed implantation was proposed based on the observation of a several months lag between copulation and the estimated pregnancy initiation date. The present study demonstrated the advantage of using remote technologies to learn the life history of resting fossorial species.
... Clinical pathology reference data from healthy individuals for two Asian pangolin species, the Sunda (Manis javanica) and the Chinese (M. pentadactyla) pangolin, and for the African whitebellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis), have been published (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18). Additionally, a recent study presented hematology and clinical chemistry data from 10 Temminck's pangolins (not all healthy) housed in a rehabilitation center in Zimbabwe (19). ...
... Although not directly comparable, as different hematology analyzers were used, most reference intervals presented for Chinese pangolins in two different studies are similar to those for Temminck's pangolin, although also wider (14,15). Mean values derived from hematology analysis on two different analyzers for eight Temminck's pangolins in a rehabilitation center in Zimbabwe are also mostly similar to ours (19). ...
... The Sunda pangolin studies also used the VetScan VS2, so results are directly comparable (13,18). The two Chinese pangolin studies used a dry slide and a wet chemistry analyzer (14,15). The creatinine concentrations (Cobas Integra) found in Temminck's pangolin were much lower than those reported in one of the Chinese pangolin studies and the Sunda pangolin studies and are similar to the data reported for this species in Zimbabwe (13-15, 18, 19). ...
Pangolins are the world's most trafficked non-human mammals. A significant number of Temminck's pangolins (Smutsia temminckii) are presented for veterinary care and rehabilitation in southern Africa. Little is known about the physiology and normal health of this species, making diagnosis and medical management difficult. This study aimed to establish reference intervals (RIs) for hematology and plasma clinical chemistry in the Temminck's pangolin. RIs were generated according to international guidelines using samples from 27 healthy free-living (n = 18) and rehabilitated (n = 9) pangolins. Hematology was performed using the Abaxis VetScan HM5 analyzer with manual differentials; clinical chemistry was performed using heparin plasma on the Abaxis VetScan VS2 and Cobas Integra 400 Plus analyzers. Hematology RIs were: RBC 3.88–8.31 × 10¹²/L, HGB 73–150 g/L, HCT 26–51%, MCV 59–72 fL, MCH 15.6–21.4 pg, MCHC 257–325 g/L, RDW 14.3–19.1%, WBC 1.80–10.71 × 10⁹/L. Vetscan VS2 clinical chemistry RIs were: albumin 27–41 g/L, ALP 26–100 U/L, ALT 25–307 U/L, amylase 267–826 U/L, bilirubin 4–10 μmol/L, calcium 2.1–2.2 mmol/L, globulin 21–55 g/L, glucose 3.8–10.0 mmol/L, phosphate 1.3–2.6 mmol/L, potassium 3.6–5.9 mmol/L, sodium 132–140 mmol/L total protein 52–84 g/L, and urea 5.3–11.4 mmol/L. RIs for creatinine were not calculated as analytical imprecision exceeded analytical performance goals. Cobas Integra clinical chemistry RIs were: albumin 22–33 g/L, ALP 20–104 U/L, ALT 17–291 U/L, amylase 466–1,533 U/L, bilirubin 1–14 μmol/L, calcium 2.0–2.4 mmol/L, creatinine <58 μmol/L, globulin 23–49 g/L, glucose 3.6–10.1 mmol/L, phosphate 1.0–2.2 mmol/L, potassium 3.1–5.8 mmol/L, sodium 137–150 mmol/L, total protein 47–72 g/L, and urea 6.0–12.5 mmol/L. There was significant bias between the two chemistry analyzers for several measurands. Differences were found for some analytes between free-living and rehabilitated animals, probably reflecting differences in nutrition and hydration. These are the first RIs generated for Temminck's pangolin. These results will allow veterinarians to better determine pangolin health status, formulate optimal treatment plans and increase patient survival rates in this endangered species.
... 48 Barring minor superficial wounds and skin lesions, any apparent pathologies excluded pangolins from the study ( Table 1). All study activities received ethical approval by the Smithsonian Institution's Animal Care and Use Committee (protocol [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35]. ...
... 4,34 Serum cholesterol and triglycerides quantified for 10 pangolins in this study (Table 5) were substantially lower than for those of Formosan pangolins (Manis pentadactyla pentadactyla), the only other species for which values have been published, to the authors' knowledge. 11,22 This could reflect species variation, dietary differences, fasting period, or artifacts from sample handling or storage conditions. Thirteen samples in this study recorded slight to gross lipemia per the analyzer results, which although this did not affect the analytes evaluated by the Abaxis VS2 analyzer, may have affected TGL results from the second assay, especially if centrifuged further. ...
... The results of this study are also comparable to Formosan pangolins in Taiwan. 11,22 Electrolyte parameters are similar between species, with slight differences in kidney and liver values. Notably, Sunda pangolin PHOS values were considerably higher than those of Formosan pangolins, whereas TGL and CHOL skewed lower. ...
Native to Southeast Asia, the Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) is critically endangered largely because of poorly regulated wildlife trade, consumptive practices, and use in traditional Chinese medicine. Efforts to rescue and rehabilitate animals confiscated from the illegal trade are complicated by a general lack of knowledge surrounding the normal health and disease processes unique to the species. To provide clinical reference intervals for normal health states of Sunda pangolins, biochemical parameters were determined from rescued individuals in Vietnam that had undergone a 14-day observation period and met a set of criteria for release back into the wild. Blood samples were collected from 42 apparently healthy Sunda pangolins while anesthetized or awake. Packed cell volume (PCV) and total solids (TS) were determined manually, and serum biochemistry values were determined in-house with a benchtop analyzer. Additional biochemical and mineral parameters not included in the primary panel were determined from a subset of 10 pangolins through an external diagnostic laboratory. Overall reference intervals were calculated for PCV and TS (n = 29) and for standard serum biochemistry parameters (n = 42). Females and males demonstrated significant variation with respect to body mass, potassium (K+), and phosphorus, whereas age was a significant source of variation in alkaline phosphatase. Seasonal variation in glucose (GLU), creatinine (CRE), total proteins, sodium, calcium, and K+ was also observed. Comparisons between anesthetized and awake pangolins demonstrated significant variation in GLU, CRE, and K+. The parameters determined in this study can serve as a clinical reference for ex situ Sunda pangolin conservation efforts. In the context of wildlife rehabilitation, serial bloodwork allows for continued monitoring of patient health and should inform decision making regarding release readiness and timing.
... We suggest it is unlikely there is evidence of age-driven variation in Malay civet renal performance, as urea levels did not vary with animal age, as would be clinically expected from renal complications. Similar patterns were documented in Iberian lynx (Beltrán et al., 1991;García et al., 2010), Amur leopard (Bodgener and Lewis, 2017), polar bear (Ursus maritimus, Fry et al., 2019) and Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla, Khatri-Chhetri et al., 2015). ...
Agricultural development is a major threat to global biodiversity, and effective conservation actions are crucial. Physiological repercussions of life alongside human-modified landscapes can undermine adaptable species' health and population viability; however, baseline data are lacking for many wildlife species. We assessed the physiological status of a generalist carnivore, the Malay civet (Viverra tangalunga), persisting within an extensively human-modified system in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. We characterized hematology and serum biochemistry panels from civets sampled across a mosaic landscape comprising tropical forest fragments and oil palm plantations. Intra-population variation in certain blood parameters were explained by expected biological drivers such as sex, age category and sampling season. Furthermore, we determined several erythrocyte measures, immune cell counts and dietary biochemistry markers significantly varied with proximity to oil palm plantation boundaries. These findings were supported by a case study, whereby blood profiles of GPS collared male civets were contrasted based on their exclusive use of forests or use of oil palm plantations. These data provide robust and valuable first insights into this species' physiological status and suggest agricultural landscapes are impacting the persisting population.
... Pangolins were captured under the licence with permission granted by the Taiwan Forestry Bureau (permit numbers 0980129850, 0991,616,024, 1,011,701,139, and 1,031,700,176), as required by the Wildlife Conservation Act, 2013. Anaesthesia and blood sampling were conducted following standard guidelines (Khatri-Chhetri et al., 2015). ...
Pangolins are the most trafficked mammalian species in the world and have recently been transferred from Appendix II to Appendix I in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), due to poaching and international population decline. Given their principally solitary, elusive, and typically nocturnal behaviours, detailed ecological information is lacking. An understanding of their genetic structure and mating system is required to provide effective conservation strategies for the remaining wild populations. In this study, we assessed the discrimination power of microsatellites. We subsequently evaluated the genetic diversity and mating system of a restored Chinese pangolin population (Manis pentadactyla) inhabiting the southern Coastal Mountain Range, Taiwan. A total of 54 pangolins (29 males and 25 females) were captured between 2009 and 2013 within a 10 km² area and genotyped using ten microsatellite markers. The cumulative probabilities of identifying unrelated individuals and siblings in these microsatellites were 1.83× 10⁻⁷ and 1.01 × 10⁻³, respectively, indicating that these markers can be applied to population genetics, parentage, and forensics studies. A low level of genetic diversity and heterozygote deficiency were observed, which is likely due to over-exploitation, and harvesting for use in leather between 1950 to 1980. Bottleneck analysis also revealed that the population had experienced a demographic bottleneck. Mantel tests for isolation-by-distance, revealed a non-significant correlation between genetic and geographic distances for all individuals (R = 0.04, P = 0.24). The mating system analysis showed that Chinese pangolins are primarily polygynous and certain females exhibit a lack in mate fidelity. We also observed that female pangolins can reproduce during consecutive years. Our first-ever observations of a Chinese pangolin population have substantially contributed to the development of effective conservation strategies and restorative actions in Chinese pangolin populations.
