SINGAPORE – A male pangolin called Berani that underwent the world’s first known musculoskeletal surgery of its kind seven years ago to fix a fractured thigh bone has died.
Berani was a Sunda pangolin, which is the world’s most trafficked mammal. His death was made public in a Facebook post by Mandai Wildlife Reserve on Sept 15.
Berani was rescued in 2018 and later underwent a pioneering orthopaedic operation on the hind leg, said his keeper, Mr Shahnom, in the video in the Facebook post. The injury was linked to a motor accident.
He added that Berani had remained in Mandai’s care since.
Recently, the Sunda pangolin underwent five months of intensive treatment after being diagnosed with a rare autoimmune skin disease, said Mr Shahnom.
However, Berani’s health took a turn for the worse, he said, and the difficult decision to let him go had to be made.
In the Facebook post, Mandai Wildlife Reserve said: “True to his name, which means brave in Malay, Berani lived up to it in every way…
“Farewell, our brave little warrior. Your spirit lives on, inspiring us in every step we take to protect the critically endangered Sunda pangolin.”
At the end of the two-minute video, Mr Shahnom said: “Berani will always be remembered. He will remain the most beautiful memory in my life.”
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