Double trouble: Brookfield Zoo Chicago hits the pangolin lottery again with second birth

Brookfield Zoo Chicago is marking a major milestone after the birth of a female white-bellied pangolin on June 8, its second pangopup of 2026, according to an announcement. The zoo recently said the baby was born to 11-year-old mother Virginia and is now one month old, growing behind the scenes with her mother.

Animal care staff have seen the young pangolin nurse regularly, explore the nest box on her own and ride on Virginia’s tail, a normal part of pangolin infancy. The male pangopup born in February to Rosy has already begun weaning and eating solid food, according to the zoo.

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10 years of pangolin care

The birth comes as Brookfield Zoo Chicago celebrates a decade of pangolin care and conservation. The zoo confirmed it has welcomed 11 pangolin births over the past 10 years while building knowledge in nutrition, veterinary medicine, reproductive physiology and neonatal care.

Racquel Ardisana, associate director of carnivore and small mammal care and conservation at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, said in the press release, “Every pangolin birth is a special moment, but welcoming two pangopups in a single year is an extraordinary milestone and testament to a decade of dedication by our animal care team.”

According to the zoo, white-bellied pangolins are native to forests in Central and West Africa and are the only mammals covered in protective scales, which help them defend themselves by curling into a ball. The zoo said pangolins are among the most trafficked mammals in the world.

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“Pangolins are fascinating animals that face some of the greatest threats of any mammal on Earth,” Ardisana said, per the announcement. “Every opportunity we have to learn from them and share their story helps strengthen our conservation efforts, raise awareness about the challenges they face and inspire our community to help protect this remarkable species.”

All eight pangolin species are threatened with extinction, the zoo said, facing wildlife trafficking, habitat loss, road mortality, electric fencing and human-wildlife conflict. Brookfield Zoo Chicago confirmed that millions have been poached in the past decade, adding urgency to conservation efforts across Africa and Asia.

The births also support the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ SAFE Pangolin program, which Brookfield Zoo Chicago leads. The zoo said each birth offers rare scientific insight because pangolins are difficult to study in the wild.

Visitors cannot see the two new pangopups, which will remain behind the scenes, but the zoo said guests can view the only pangolin on habitat in North America at Habitat Africa! The Forest. The zoo suggests visiting around feeding times or looking carefully in hiding spaces for the best chance to spot it.