Stomper delighted to see pangolin with baby on board at Rail Corridor

A Stomper had an unexpected encounter with a critically endangered pangolin and its baby on Tuesday morning (Oct 3).

Stomper Janice shared that she was walking along the Rail Corridor near The Rail Mall at about 7am when she saw the creatures.

"There was a rustling in the bushes on my right when a pangolin and its baby riding on its tail suddenly burst out of the bushes and crossed the trail right in front of me," she said.

"I was surprised since pangolins are supposed to be very shy!

"This was in broad daylight and on a busy trail with runners and cyclists plying the route.

"It disappeared into the bushes on my left very shortly after.

"What a lovely sight!"

Last month, another Stomper was surprised to see a pangolin with a baby on its back taking a morning stroll at Hillview.

According to NParks, the Sunda pangolin is a shy, nocturnal, solitary mammal that curls into an armoured ball when threatened.

It is listed as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.

The greatest threat pangolins in Singapore face is from rapid urbanisation which results in massive habitat loss.

"The slow-moving pangolins are also often injured or killed by vehicles when they stray off too far from the forested areas onto roads," NParks said on its website.

Here is what you should do if you encounter a pangolin:

• Do not be alarmed. These animals are shy and will not attack humans.

• Do not touch, chase or corner them, as they will be frightened by your approach. You are advised to leave them alone.

• Observe them! It is not very often that you will get to see a live pangolin. Share your findings with pangolin research and welfare groups.