Abilene Zoo Acquires Potential Mate for Rare Giant Anteater
ABILENE, TX – The Abilene Zoo is welcoming a new resident this summer for a planned rendezvous.
According to the zoo, Demo, a female giant anteater from the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Rhode Island has been matched to Beni, the resident male giant anteater.
Demo is almost two years old and will be on exhibit in the South America region of the zoo.
“We are optimistic that one day we will get to announce the impending arrival of a tiny new giant anteater to the zoo,” said General Curator Denise Ibarra. “Until then, we are thrilled to welcome Demo to the ZooCrew here in Abilene.”
Rhode Island zoo s female giant anteater comes courting at Abilene Zoo
Staff report
The pairing of Beni and -year-old female Demo (
dem-oh) is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan, the Abilene Zoo said in a news release.
Demo is a combination of the names of the anteater s parents Delilah and Mochilla.
Demo and Beni can be seen in the South America exhibit of the Abilene Zoo.
“Zoos accredited by AZA are working with giant anteaters to maintain an assurance population and to support conservation programs in their home range,” said Denise Ibarra, the zoo s general curator. “Research shows that only around 5,000 giant anteaters remain in the wild.”
African lion Botswana at Abilene Zoo dies reporternews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from reporternews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.