Nashville Zoo WIll Not Have An Ant Problem This Summer With Giant Anteater Arriving

By Jim Bartoo 

Nashville, TN - Two giant anteaters are debuting at Nashville Zoo this Friday, March 20. The anteaters are the third black and white species to premiere at the Zoo this month. A herd of zebras joined Nashville Zoo on March 6, and two white tiger cubs premiered March 13.

The anteaters will be in the former African wild dog habitat until the weather becomes too cool for their tropical preferences (around November). A future 4.5-acre South American exhibit will eventually house all of the Zoo’s giant anteaters, in addition to jaguars, tapirs, giant otters, jabiru storks, and saki and howler monkeys.

“Giant anteater conservation has been a priority at Nashville Zoo for the past 11 years,” said Zoo President Rick Schwartz. “Only about 5,000 giant anteaters are left in the wild, and we are tirelessly working to increase that number and ensure the species’ survival.”

In addition to the two anteaters on exhibit, the Zoo has seven anteaters off exhibit in a state-of-the-art breeding facility. Seven giant anteaters have been born at the facility since 2001, and ultrasounds recently confirmed another pregnancy. Important species information, from dietary requirements to breeding habits, also continues to be gathered.

Nashville Zoo is accredited by the prestigious Association of Zoos and Aquariums, assuring the highest standards of animal care and husbandry. The Zoo is a non-profit organization located at 3777 Nolensville Road and is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. The mission of Nashville Zoo is to inspire a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation and leadership. For more information about Nashville Zoo, call 615-833-1534 or visit www.nashvillezoo.org.

Photo credit: Julie Wilson