ABILENE, TX — The Abilene Zoo has a new resident.
A female giant anteater from the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Rhode Island has been matched with the Abilene Zoo’s male giant anteater, Beni.
It’s part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan.
The nearly two-year-old giant anteater is named Demo.
She’s now on exhibit in the South America region of the zoo.
Demo can be seen in the back exhibit as her and Beni make introductions and get to know one another.
“Zoos accredited by AZA are working with giant anteaters to maintain an assurance population and to support conservation programs in their home range,” said General Curator Denise Ibarra. “Research shows that only around 5,000 giant anteaters remain in the wild.”
Giant anteaters are considered a threatened species overall. They are hunted for food, hit by cars, and driven out of their habitat as land becomes local farming ground.
This unique animal is the largest of the three anteater species with thick, bushy, gray hair that grows incredibly long on the tail. The giant anteater’s gestation period is about six months, and after birth, its young climb on the mother’s back where they will remain for up to a year. They have an elongated head that includes both a nose and mouth specialized for feeding on insects.
“We are optimistic that one day we will get to announce the impending arrival of a tiny new giant anteater to the zoo,” said Ibarra. “Until then, we are thrilled to welcome Demo to the ZooCrew here in Abilene.”
