Gd news! (:

Night Safari expecting birth of rare baby pangolin

Wed, Jan 13, 2010 my paper

A BABY pangolin - a nocturnal mammal covered in scales, and which is also known as the scaly anteater - is expected to be born at the Night Safari as early as March this year. In a routine check on one of its four pangolins called Nita, zookeepers at the Night Safari found out that it was pregnant. They had seen it mating with its mate, Kepong, last October. The gestation period for pangolins is estimated to last five months. Mr Kumar Pillai, the Night Safari's assistant director of zoology, said: "In the wild, pangolins are becoming increasingly rare. This pregnancy is a wonderful testament to the dedication of our staff, who have been working tirelessly to ensure that this native species thrives under our care." The Night Safari introduced the pangolin habitat last February. Pangolins are delicate creatures that are notoriously difficult to keep in captivity, mainly because their diet consists solely of ants and termites, the Night Safari said yesterday.