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.”

The match is part of the   Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan as giant anteaters are considered a threatened species.

“Zoos accredited by AZA are working with giant anteaters to maintain an assurance population and to support conservation programs in their home range,” said Ibarra. “Research shows that only around 5,000 giant anteaters remain in the wild.”

Giant anteaters are often hunted for food, hit by cars, and driven out of their habitat as land is cleared for farming.

Demo and Beni belong to the largest of the three anteater species. They have thick, bushy, gray hair that grows incredibly long on the tail.

 The giant anteater’s gestation period is about six months and baby anteaters remain on their mother's back for nearly a year. 

Their elongated head 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.”