Radin

Radin was born on 13 July 2014, though his story began somewhat earlier with his mother, Nita, who first arrived at Mandai’s wildlife hospital injured and in need of treatment.

After rehabilitation and recovery, she later gave birth to Radin — one of the first pangolins successfully bred at Night Safari. For a species as elusive and sensitive as the Sunda pangolin, each successful birth represents a significant conservation milestone, and in Radin’s case, a rather encouraging outcome from a difficult beginning.

Many pangolins are cautious and secretive by nature. Radin, however, has developed a reputation for approaching his keepers quite directly. He often investigates through scent, touch, and close inspection — occasionally climbing onto legs in the process — behaviour that surprises many people expecting a more withdrawn animal.

Once active, he moves continuously through his environment, exploring with steady curiosity and little apparent concern for personal space.

On 1 March 2026, Radin became a father when his partner, “Gumby”, gave birth to Night Safari’s first Sunda pangopup in a decade! The newborn arrived weighing roughly the same as a large avocado and covered in soft, pale scales. In the early days, the pup was frequently observed riding on its mother’s tail — a natural behaviour seen in pangolin young as they travel alongside their mothers.

During this critical period, keepers monitored the pair overnight via CCTV to minimise disturbance while ensuring both remained healthy. Meanwhile, Radin continued his usual evening routine at the Pangolin Trail, moving through the habitat with the same calm confidence his keepers have come to expect.

Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals in the world, and with over a million believed to have been poached in the past decade for their scales and meat, they are classified Critically Endangered by the IUCN.

Radin's presence at Night Safari serves as a living reminder of what is at stake, and what is possible when we choose to protect rather than exploit.