Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington is welcoming a baby giant anteater. The pup entered the world in the early morning hours of June 16.
Zookeepers have been monitoring the infant anteater since then. Mother and pup are doing well, said the zoo. It's too early to determine the gender of the baby mammal.
The mom, named Chili, was mated to a male anteater named Arnaud as part of the species survival plan. There are only 90 giant anteaters in captivity. Chili came from the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Arnaud came from the Nashville Zoo in Tennessee.
“Chili has been a great mother and continues to take excellent care of her baby, who will spend most of the first year of its life riding on mom’s back. Since Chili loves to explore new things, while Arnaud is more laid back (enjoying regular naps), we are excited to see what type of personality the pup develops,” said zookeepers.
Arnaud will remain separate from the mother and pup for at least a year, said the zoo. Arnaud is currently enjoying the South America habitat at the zoo. Chili and the pup will rotate having access outside in the near future.
This is the first time for Chili or Arnaud to be part of a recommended pairing. Giant anteaters are currently listed as “Vulnerable” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.
Miller Park Zoo contributes annually to The Institute for the Conservation of Wild Animals [ICAS] as one of its conservation initiatives. In their native regions of South America, giant anteaters suffer risks from growing agriculture industries, increasing human populations, and roads or highways that fragment habitat. The zoo said it supports the “Anteaters and Highways” project, where the ICAS team conducts research and tries to improve conservation for the animals.
