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January 31, 2020
Santa Ana Zoo Welcomes Baby Anteater

The Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park had a little extra to be thankful for this holiday season, a baby giant anteater.

The newest addition to the zoo was born on November 26, 2019 to mother “Heesoo of Troy” and father “Peter”. Mom and baby, whose sex has not yet been determined, have been bonding in their den off exhibit and both are doing well. As the baby gets bigger, mom and baby will spend more time outside on warm days with good weather. When they choose to go outside, guests will see the baby anteater riding on its mother’s back for a number of months, even after it begins exploring on its own.

Giant anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla, are native to the grassy plains and rainforest borders of Central and South America. Most easily identified by their long, thin nose, anteaters are true insectivores eating copious amounts of ants, termites, and other insects which they dig up using the long, sharp claws of their front feet. At the zoo, our anteaters enjoy a “smoothie” of insect protein and fresh fruits and vegetables which mimics the nutritional value of their wild diet. Baby anteaters, called pups, are born with similar coloring and striping to adults, allowing them to instantly camouflage. The pup will ride on the mother’s back for up to 1 year as they grow to full size, before leaving to establish their own territory. Anteaters are generally solitary animals, coming together only to mate. Anteaters are listed as a threatened and vulnerable species due to ongoing threats of habitat loss and destruction, fire and poaching for fur. The Santa Ana Zoo is proud to be an active participant in collaborative giant anteater conservation programs, contributing to the maintenance of genetic diversity in managed populations and conservation of the species in the wild.

The anteaters can be viewed in the Tierra de las Pampas area of the zoo daily between 10:00AM and 4:00PM at the Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park. The Santa Ana Zoo is home to more than 150 animals, including entertaining and engaging monkeys, and several endangered species including the Golden Lion Tamarin.


September 1, 2017
Adorable Baby Lemur Born at the Santa Ana Zoo is OC's Cutest New Foodie

The Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park is happy to report its baby Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur, born on May 18, 2017, is healthy, energetic and enjoying copying the vocals and antics of parents Mary Lou and Tamazula. The Zoo Keepers describe the baby lemur, whose sex has yet to be determined, as rambunctious and extremely interested in taste testing new foods. Among the little pup's favorites firsts are grapes and bananas. Guests and Zoo members can easily spot our baby lemur in the Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur habitat, which is located in the Zoo's primate walkway.

Black-and-white ruffed lemurs are a critically endangered species endemic to Madagascar. This species of prosimian is closely related to monkeys and often found high in the trees.

"Our baby lemur is absolutely adorable and full of life, and the enthusiasm around this pup's birth from our staff, guests and members certainly shines a spotlight on the efforts and ongoing call to action from Zoos around the world to help preserve endangered species and raise awareness around conservation and the need to protect our wildlife," said Kent Yamaguchi, Director of the Santa Ana Zoo.

The Santa Ana Zoo is home to more than 150 animals, including 50 of the most entertaining and engaging monkeys, and several endangered species including the Golden Lion Tamarins and Black-and-White Ruffed Lemurs.


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