Giant Anteater Infant Fights for Life at Zoo Miami

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: December 19, 2020 9:02 pm

The giant anteater infant which is being hand-reared at Zoo Miami

Photo Credit: Ron Magill/ Zoo Miami

A giant anteater infant was born at Zoo Miami in Florida, USA in the early morning hours of December 8th 2020 with keepers having to step in to save the baby when it was found alone.

This infant was welcomed on the same day as its mother birthday. 7 year old Laura is the mother of this infant.

The giant anteater infant which is being hand-reared at Zoo Miami

Photo Credit: Ron Magill/ Zoo Miami

The baby was born on one of the coldest nights of the year in Miami with keepers arriving at work to find the baby weak and cold in the corner of its holding area. Upon this discovery it was moved to the zoo hospital where it received emergency care.

Despite initial doubts that the baby anteater would survive it luckily became more responsive after being heated up and receiving fluids. Zookeepers were able to collect natural milk from the mother and supplement this with a formula substitute. This was provided directly to the infants stomach through a tube.

The giant anteater infant which is being hand-reared at Zoo Miami

Photo Credit: Ron Magill/ Zoo Miami

Once the infant had regained some of its strength, roughly 48 hours after being moved to the hospital there was an attempt made to reintroduce the infant to its mother. Initially there were promising sounds with Laura allowing the baby to be placed on her back she soon became intolerant and showed signs that she would not care for the baby.

It returned to the hospital and initially was tube fed. It has since become stronger and can now drink on its own from a bottle. Staff are providing care to the infant around the clock with feeds every 3 hours. Its black and white coat has recently started to show through.

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Zoo vets are now cautiously optimistic that the anteater has overcome its most serious challenges and will be able to face any future challenges.

Giant anteaters are the largest of the four anteater species and can be found in South America.