Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals in the world, with all eight species under severe threat. Zoo conservation efforts are hampered by the extraordinary difficulty of maintaining pangolins in captivity.
Pangolin welfare in captivity presents some of the most extreme challenges in zoo animal management. The combination of extreme dietary specialization, extreme stress sensitivity, and susceptibility to respiratory disease creates mortality rates that have historically exceeded 75% within a year of captivity. Most conservation efforts focus on anti-trafficking enforcement and wild population protection as more effective than captive breeding. Facilities that have had some success emphasize minimal handling, species-appropriate burrow systems, live insect feeding, and careful humidity and temperature management. The primary conservation intervention for pangolins is reducing consumer demand for scales and meat, primarily in Asian markets.