Endangered creature — with ‘cone-shaped’ head — born at Illinois zoo. See the newborn

“One of the most trafficked mammals in the world” was born at an Illinois zoo, officials said.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago announced the birth of a white-bellied pangolin , an endangered species recognizable by its artichoke-looking scales and “cone-shaped” head, according to an Aug. 15 news release from the zoo.

The newborn pangolin pup, born July 25, is seen resting on its mother’s tail, getting to know its surroundings at the Chicago-area zoo, photos show. The Brookfield Zoo is one of the few spots in the United States known to successfully breed and birth the endangered species.

Also called a “pangopup,” the scaly mammal is one of thirteen at the zoo, which holds part of a small population of the species living in captivity, according to the news release.

“Having pangolins in professional care provides a great opportunity for scientists and zoo specialists to learn as much as we can about the species’ natural history, which allows us to share this vital information and collaborate with in situ partners to ensure conservation success for pangolins in the wild,” Mark Wanner, associate vice president of animal care and conservation, said in a news release.

Since the establishment of the North American Pangolin Consortium in 2016, zoo staff has discovered new behaviors and details about the species.

Researchers learned that the gestation period for white-bellied pangolins can be close to 200 days, rather than the previously documented 140- to 150-day gestation period, according to a news release.

Staff also reformulated the pangolin’s diet, giving them nutrients while mimicking a “more natural way of feeding,” the zoo said.

There are four species of pangolins native to Asia, which are critically endangered, and another four species native to Africa, which are also vulnerable, according to zoo officials.

The white-bellied pangolin is native to Africa , according to the IUCN SCC Pangolin specialist group.

“It also gives us the opportunity to raise awareness about the plight all pangolins world-wide are facing due to illegal and unsustainable harvesting for food and scales.”

The animal is commonly poached and used for illegal bushmeat trade, medicines and jewelry, according to the zoo. Their habitats have also been targeted, creating yet another threat to the species.

Annually, the zoo says up to 200,000 of these animals are poached solely for illegal bushmeat trade.

Studies also suggested pangolins may have played a role in spreading the SARS-CoV-2 virus to humans, according to a 2023 study published in Cell Discovery.

“Bats are considered to be the natural reservoir hosts of many coronaviruses,” the study said. However, “a panel of SARS-CoV-2-related coronaviruses have been identified in pangolins,” researchers noted.

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