Our research examined the time of conception of fallow deer in the DALERD South Plains Forestry Private Limited Company’s Gyulai Forestry Area. We collected data from pregnant females who had been shot in the hunting season. At the time of evisceration the uterus was removed and dissected; and sex and body weight of embryos were recorded. We were able to collect and analyze 149 samples for our study. Based on the sex and body weight of embryos, we calculated the fertilization date for each animal
within our sample group. There were no significant statistical differences found between mean fertilization dates of adult does and yearlings (t = –0.72, p = 0.47). The mean fertilization date of does (with a gestation period of 231.5 days) was October 25th (SD = 13.82, n = 120); whereas, for yearlings this date was October 24th (SD = 12.97; n = 29). Based on embryonic development, results showed that in the population we examined, 2 % of females were impregnated in December, 1.3 % in September (at the end of September), 24.2 % in November and the majority, 72.5 % were fertilized in October.
The observations of Sunda pangolin reproductive parameters in this paper were based on the wild-caught animals and those that had spent time in captive environments, however, when analyzing the results, we did not consider differences in terms of breeding habits between the two. Still, this research has led to an increase in knowledge of the breeding habits of the Sunda pangolin. Our results suggest that there is no breeding season or season of parturition for the Sunda pangolin, which breeds all year round. We estimated the gestation period in this species to be around six months. Sexual maturity occurred at one year old or as early as six-seven months
old in some individuals, and requires further investigation. Each Sunda pangolin in this study gave birth to one offspring at a time. The sex ratio at birth was 0.875:1 (♀:♂) (n = 15); and the weaning age was estimated at four months with a weight of 1.19 ± 0.50 kg (n = 3), which concurs with recent research. Findings in this study will contribute to future analyses of population dynamics, species conservation, and both in situ and ex situ management of the Sunda pangolin. Despite this contribution, further studies are needed on the reproductive parameters of Sunda pangolin.