LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Zoo announced the arrival of its first southern tamandua pup successfully bred at the zoo.
The pup remains unnamed and was born on the evening of Aug. 28 to 8-year-old male Lou and 6-year-old female Micah. It was the first for both parents and a milestone for the zoo.
The gender of the pup will be determined later through blood work.
Senior Animal Keeper Mallory Peebles called it “a significant birth for the zoo.”
“This is the first time LA Zoo visitors will have the opportunity to see the species as a neonate and observe its development over time,” she said. “We are thrilled with this new addition to our zoo family, and its arrival is a testament to the care and well-being provided by our entire team.”
The zoo’s animal care team closely monitored Micah’s health, behavior and development of the fetus through the course of her pregnancy. Keepers worked with Micah and successfully trained her to voluntarily position to allow veterinarians to perform ultrasound exams.
According to the zoo, Micah and the pup are bonding and settling nicely into their habitat.
This birth is the result of the Southern Tamandua Species Survival Plan, a cooperative breeding program between Association of Zoos & Aquariums-accredited zoos to maintain genetic diversity and sustainability in the North American zoo population.
Although southern tamanduas are classified as a species of “least concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, habitat loss caused by human activities in their native South American range is a continuing threat to their survival.
Wildfires, deforestation, road construction and traffic are some of the challenges faced by the species.
Southern tamanduas, also known as lesser anteaters, are found in forests, shrublands and savannas of Colombia, Venezuela, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Uruguay and Argentina.
The animals use their sharp claws and prehensile tails to climb trees and hold…
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