14 DAY TRIAL // Staff at Marwell Wildlife in the UK are proud to announce that the park is now home to a baby giant anteater. The pup arrived at the beginning of November, and is the first of its kind to have ever been born at this facility.
Staff are keeping a close eye on the family, and say that Chiquita and her pup have bonded quite well. The baby anteater spends most of its time clinging to its mom's back or legs, and the latter does not in the least mind having to carry this adorable “parasite” with her wherever she goes.
“We are so proud to see Chiquita carrying the baby as it hitches a ride across her back and demonstrating maternal instincts, as it’s her first pup,” park employee Shelly Parkes told the press, as cited by Zoo Borns.
Furthermore, “She seems content and we can hear the pup feeding and occasionally whistling as it talks to mum.”
The pup presently weighs about 3 pounds (about 1.3 kilograms), and only eats milk from its mom. Apparently, it will be at least three more months before it shows any interest in sinking its teeth into solids.
Vets say that, once it grows a tad stronger, they will perform a complete health check and will even try to determine whether it is a boy or a girl.