A European zoo has announced the birth of a giant anteater cub, a rare addition to the vulnerable species listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
The cub, whose sex has not yet been determined, remains under the close care of its six-year-old mother, Ibera. Zoo officials said the newborn is still clinging tightly to Ibera’s back, both in the indoor and outdoor enclosures of the zoo’s South America section. Its coat blends seamlessly with hers, making the baby almost invisible to onlookers.
The father, Yavi, a 14-year-old anteater, has been kept separate from the pair to ensure the cub’s safety, as males can pose risks to newborns. Yavi, already a father of four and a grandfather, continues to reside in a separate enclosure.
Zoo officials highlighted the importance of the birth, given the ongoing decline of giant anteater populations across South America due to habitat loss, road accidents, and wildfires. Conservationists have welcomed the news as a step toward strengthening breeding programs aimed at protecting the species from further decline.
“This birth is not only a joy for us but also a critical contribution to safeguarding a species under serious threat,” a zoo spokesperson said.
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