NEW YORK — 2020 started out great for Peter the Chinese pangolin, who used to work in the Wild Asia Monorail exhibit at the Bronx Zoo. Now, Peter’s struggling to make ends meet since he was laid off. 

“It all happened so fast, I had no time to prepare,” says Peter. “No one wants to risk even getting near me. My friends — the zookeepers — they all keep their distance. I’m not wanted, and I have no idea how I’m going to support my family.”

Pangolins and bats at zoos around the world are experiencing a precipitous decline of visitors due to their association as possible carriers of SARS-CoV-2. 

“I’d go back to my family, but they were sold at a Chinese open market a few years back — before I moved to the Bronx. We’ll just have to figure something out,” Peter said, comforting his wife and children. 

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