Taiwanese pangolin’s night visit captures hearts

CHIAYI (TVBS News) — A nocturnal visit from a Taiwanese pangolin to a local residence has captured hearts after adorable photographs surfaced on social media last Saturday (Dec. 23).

The young pangolin, estimated to be about a year old, wandered into Shih Gu Pan Villa in Alishan Township, Chiayi County. Villa owner Hsu Ming-wei discovered the creature hunting ants in his garden. Out of concern for the pangolin's safety from dogs, Hsu temporarily kept it before releasing it in the mountains behind his property.

Hsu estimated the pangolin, also known as scaly anteater, to weigh around 2.1 kilograms, falling short of the species' approximate 20-kilogram adult weight. Hsu suggested that a group of pangolins likely resides near his property.

Responding to the incident, Shui Hui-ling, the head of animal science and conservation at the Chiayi County Agriculture Department, stated that it is prohibited to capture pangolins due to their status as a protected species. However, no penalties will be imposed on Hsu for his well-intentioned actions.

Shui advised notifying authorities about such animals' presence and taking videos when releasing them to provide evidence of the act.