Chitin connects – HMC sponsors pangolins
The Chinese pangolins in the Zoo Leipzig are unique – they are the only pangolins in a European zoo. Both animals were born in Asia and came to the German zoo within the scope of international wildlife conservation programmes.
In the wild the animals are being chased to become medical compounds in traditional medicine or their habitat is falling victim to urban developments. Hence, Chinese pangolins are an endangered species. In the elephant house of the Zoo Leipzig two of their kind – Tou Feng and Quesan – found a new, safe home.
Successful keeping of pangolins in a species-appropriate environment is very demanding. Especially their nutrition is a big challenge for their keepers. Usually, the nocturnal Chinese pangolins live on termites and ants. But in the zoo it is impossible to provide enough of it. So in the rearing station of the Zoo Taipei, where the animals came from, experts developed special nutrition for the pangolins living in zoos. These mixtures contain all essential nutrients. One important ingredient is chitin.
For the pangolins as well as for HMC+ high quality chitin is one important base for life. This commonness connects! Therefore Heppe Medical Chitosan GmbH sponsors both animals since summer 2010. In the course of the sponsorship Tou Feng and Quesan are supplied with chitin, specially prepared and conditioned by Karin Walther.
At this point we wish them both a long life with many babies.
You would like to know more about Schuppi and his new friend? The zoo documentation „Elefant, Tiger & Co.“ on the channel MDR regularly reports on them (in German).
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