Unusual sighting of two male pangolins locked in a tussle

Smaller animal was left with severe injuries that resulted in it having to be put down

- Chin Hui Shan

Two male Sunda pangolins were found locked in a tussle at the Central Catchment Nature Reserve one afternoon in July, with the smaller of the two having severe injuries that resulted in it having to be put down.

The sighting was an unusual one since pangolins are nocturnal and usually seen alone, except when they are in a mother-offspring pair or during courtship. Pangolins are critically endangered in Singapore.

The last observed incident of aggression between Sunda pangolins was recorded about 20 years ago, happening some time between November 2005 and February 2006.

The pangolins in the latest incident were found in a drain beside the service road of Bukit Kalang Service Reservoir, located within the nature reserve, at about 1pm on July 17, reported Nature in Singapore. The online journal by NUS Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum publishes articles on flora and fauna in Singapore.

The incident was observed by National Parks Board (NParks) staff.

The bigger pangolin - which was almost twice the weight of the other one - was seen curled up around the smaller one, latching onto it with its tail and clawing at its scales.

The smaller pangolin was in a defensive posture, curled up into a ball. When threatened, these creatures often roll into a tight ball and use their tough and overlapping scales to protect themselves.

The bigger pangolin was also seen trying to reach the face of the other pangolin with its front claws and raking its scales.