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Bridgeport's Beardsley Zoo Welcomes Baby Giant Anteater

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- A Giant Anteater was born for the first time ever at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo on Saturday, Feb. 13.

A newborn Giant Anteater snuggles on mom's back at the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport.

A newborn Giant Anteater snuggles on mom's back at the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport.

Photo Credit: Beardsley Zoo
A newborn Giant Anteater snuggles on mom's back at the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport.

A newborn Giant Anteater snuggles on mom's back at the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport.

Photo Credit: Contributed
The baby Giant Anteater stays on mom's back for the first few weeks of life. This is the first Giant Anteater born at the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport.

The baby Giant Anteater stays on mom's back for the first few weeks of life. This is the first Giant Anteater born at the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport.

Photo Credit: Contributed

The new addition and weighed 2.4 pounds at birth and is just over 14 inches. 

Proud parents are first time dad "EO" and second time mom, "Pana." The pair was brought to Connecticut's only zoo with the hopes of successful breeding. 

"Our fingers were crossed that our Giant anteaters would have babies and we couldn't be happier that the breeding was successful," Gregg Dancho, zoo director said in a statement. "We encourage everyone to follow the baby's growth and progress on our social media pages until the time comes for it to meet the public."

Female anteaters give birth to one offspring and the baby rides on mom's back for the first several months of life, occasional venturing off not too far from mom to explore its surroundings. 

Anteaters can live up to 26 years old in captivity and are usually solitary animals. They can weigh up to 100 pounds, and are 5 to 7 feet long.

Mother and baby are off exhibit, but should make their debut in the late spring. 

Beardsley Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adult admission (ages 12 & older) is $14, children (ages 3 -11) and senior admission (62 and older) is $11, and children under 3-years-old are free.

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