- The Houston Zoo has welcomed a new addition to its animal family. Olive, an 11-year-old giant anteater, gave birth to a yet-to-be-named pup on March 31, 2020, according to a Thursday release.
- Laura, a 7-year-old female giant anteater at Zoo Miami, gave birth to what is believed to be a male baby sometime during the early morning hours of December 8. Zoo officials said this was also.
- An adorable baby giant anteater was born at the Miami Zoo on December 8. Unfortunately, his mother abandoned him. Since then, the zoo has worked around the clock to nurse the animal back to health.
A baby giant anteater that was born at the Miami Zoo has survived despite the odds after being rejected by its mother.
The infant anteater, dubbed “Ziggy,” was abandoned shortly after birth by his mother, Laura, a 7-year-old anteater.
Zookeepers found the baby left alone and cold on one of the coldest nights of the year. Fearing the worst, they rushed him to the animal ICU.
Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) two week old baby held by keeper, France. Myrmecophaga tridactyla. Availability World wide. 5100 x 3394 pixels. 43.18 x 28.74 cm (300 dpi) 17 x 11.31 inch (300 dpi). Zoo members are taking care of this baby giant anteater after its mother rejected the newborn. Staff found the baby, believed to be a male, in a corner of its holding area on one of the coldest.
New Baby Giant Anteater
But despite the odds being stacked against him, Zoo Miami told Daily Mail that Ziggy is thriving and growing stronger every day.
Now almost a month old, Ziggy recovered under the careful watch of the animal health team, who took to tube-feeding him since he couldn’t be nursed by his mother.
Later, the zoo tried to reunite the baby with his mother, but even though Laura allowed Ziggy to be placed on her back, she eventually showed signs of disinterest, and the team concluded she was not going to care for the infant.
Zoo Of Miami
Still, Ziggy was a fighter and returned to the animal hospital, where he overcame the danger period of recovery.
Zoo Miami said they are “cautiously optimistic” about his progress.
They said, “There are still obstacles ahead as there would be for any infant in this situation.”
Ron Magill, the zoo’s goodwill ambassador and communications director, called Ziggy “a positive symbol” for overcoming difficulties in 2020.
“At a time when the world is facing so many challenges,” he said, “it is uplifting to see this little guy overcome his significant challenges and continue to grow and thrive. Hopefully, he can represent a positive symbol for all of us during this holiday season!”
The baby anteater was named after Ziggy Stardust, the alter ego of the British star the late David Bowie, carrying on the zoo’s naming traditions; the first giant anteater born at the zoo in 2016 was named “Bowie” after the superstar, as well.
Giant Anteater Baby Facts
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