Editors Note: Because the tamandua infant is currently bonding with mom, she isnt always visible. Please contact Kelly Lessard for a photo and video.

Apple Valley, MN April 23, 2012: The Minnesota Zoo is thrilled to announce the rare birth of a Southern tamandua (pronounced tah-man-do-ah) infant. It is the first tamandua ever born at the Zoo.

Born April 8, the tamandua a female has been spending time bonding with her mom in their exhibit on the Tropics Trail. She weighs just under one pound; zoo keepers are still deciding on a name. There are just 30 tamanduas in AZA-accredited institutions in North America.

Also known as lesser anteaters, Southern tamanduas have long, curved snouts and long arms that end in sharp claws. Well-designed to take advantage of the abundance of insects living in the rainforest, their thick, coarse fur helps keep ants from biting their skin. They eat ants, termites, grubs, bees, and honey. Tamanduas can be found in a variety of tropical habitats, from rain forests to arid savannas, and are commonly found near rivers and streams. Clumsy on the ground, these animals spend most of their time in trees, using their long tails to grab branches while climbing. Sometimes called the stinkers of the forest, tamanduas give off a strong smell to mark their territory and scare away other animals.

The Minnesota Zoo is located in Apple Valley, just minutes south of Mall of America. For more information, call 952.431.9500 or visit mnzoo.org. The Minnesota Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

Contact:

Kelly Lessard

Public Relations Manager

952.431.9217

kelly.lessard@state.mn.us

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