Adult-baby pangolin pair, apparently run over, found dead along road in Bukit Brown
An adult and baby Sunda pangolin were found dead along Kheam Hock Road in Bukit Brown, appearing to have been run over by a vehicle.
In response to Stomp's queries, the Animal Concerns Research & Education Society (Acres) chief executive officer, Kalai Vanan Balakrishnan, confirmed that the organisation received reports of the incident on the morning of Jan 15.
"It is disheartening to begin 2026 with more wildlife roadkill," he said. "It is even more tragic that the individuals were likely a juvenile and its mother."
Mr Kalai also called for innovative mitigation measures and greater awareness of roadkill hotspots to prevent such incidents.
On Jan 15, user Shaun Jeremiah penned a post in the Singapore Wildlife Sightings Facebook group, describing the "sad and heartbreaking" discovery.
Attached to the post were photos showing two pangolins covered in blood, with splatters on the road.
"I came across what I thought to be both mother and child trying to cross a two-way carriageway along Kheam Hock Road," Jeremiah wrote.
"I had to stop and move them to prevent further damage to the carcasses. My heart breaks for these beautiful but critically endangered pangolins."
Jeremiah took the opportunity to appeal to fellow motorists to drive within the speed limit when travelling near forested areas.
According to the National Parks Board (NParks), the Sunda Pangolin is the only native pangolin species in Singapore and is listed as "critically endangered". As they are slow-movers, pangolins are especially vulnerable to roadkill when they stray from forested areas.
However, a 2024 study found that pangolins were increasingly observed to venture out of forests, ending up injured or killed.
Netizens heartbroken
Netizens expressed heartbreak for the dead pangolins.
Some commenters said that such accidents are inevitable even if motorists take precautions.
"It's sad, but sometimes it's really not easy to see even if you drive slowly," one commenter said.
"Can't blame the person also... maybe it's at night... can't see," noted another.
What to do if you hit an animal while driving
Under the Road Traffic Act, motorists must stop if they injure or kill an animal they reasonably believe has an owner.
The rule also applies if the injured or dead animal's presence on the road poses a "safety hazard" to other road users.
If wildlife animals are involved, members of the public can contact Acres at 9783 7782 or the NParks at 1800 476 1600.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include a statement from Acres.
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