Photo courtesy: Miller Park Zoo
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — The Miller Park Zoo was excited to announce that a giant anteater was born in the Zoo on June 16.
The zoo’s veterinary team was monitoring the female anteater named “Chili,” and determined she was pregnant after an ultrasound, Zoo Director Jay Pratte said. The baby anteater was found clinging to its mother when zoo staff arrived on June 16.
Both Chili and the baby have been under constant observation since, and have been doing well, Pratte said. He said the pup is currently too young to determine the gender of the baby.
The male anteater, Arnaud, will remain separated from the baby and Chili for at least a year.
Chili was born at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, and Arnaud was born at the Nashville Zoo. Their pairing was planned as part of the Association of Zoos & Aquarium’s Species Survival Plan.
On Jan. 13, there were only 90 anteaters living in 49 AZA facilities, and this birth is a significant step for their population, according to Pratte.
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