Blood and Biochemical Changes in Rescued White-Bellied Pangolins in Nigeria: Implications for rehabilitation

Theophilus A Jarikre; Oladipo Olufemi Omotosho; Olawale Olawumi Ola; Adenike O Olatunji-akioye; Esther Oluwatosin Fawole; Adedotun Adeyefa; Boluwatife Olapade; Benjamin O Emikpe; Olajumoke Abimbola Morenikeji

doi:10.5455/JRVS.20260226113227

Abstract
Background: White-bellied pangolins (Phataginus tricuspis) are frequently rescued from illegal wildlife trade in Nigeria, often in compromised health. Limited haematological and serum biochemical data exist to guide their resuscitation and rehabilitation.

Methods: Twenty-nine pangolins [17 males (58.62%), 12 females (41.38%)], 20 adults (68.97%), 9 juveniles (31.03%: 5 males, 4 females) rescued from trade in North-central and southwestern Nigeria by the Pangolin Conservation Guild Nigeria (PCGN) were evaluated. Blood samples were collected from the sub-vertebral vascular plexus or coccygeal vein for haematological and serum biochemical analyses. Values were summarized using descriptive statistics and compared across sex and age using Mann-Whitney U tests (α = 0.05).

Results: Wide-ranging haematological values were observed. A substantial proportion of individuals exhibited anaemia, leucopenia, and hypoproteinaemia. The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (mean: 1.1±0.2) was within the upper normal limit across all groups, while marked lymphopenia was noted in several individuals, particularly juveniles, suggestive of stress-induced immunosuppression. Mean ALT and ALP levels were moderately elevated at 93.3±39.9 IU/L and 152.2±85.0 IU/L, respectively. Juvenile males had the most pronounced haematological deficits, while hypoglycaemia and mildly elevated total bilirubin were more evident in adult pangolins.

Conclusion: The derangements reflect physiological stress and poor health in the rescued white-bellied pangolins. These values, obtained from compromised animals, should not be interpreted as reference intervals for healthy wild P. tricuspis but rather as clinical benchmarks for triage and monitoring during rehabilitation. Attention to age and sex specific differences is vital for improving survival outcomes and supporting conservation efforts for this endangered species.

Key words: White-bellied pangolin; Blood parameters; Stress; Wildlife trade; Conservation.