A RARE baby giant anteater has been born at Chester Zoo.
The tiny youngster, whose gender is not yet known, is only the second of the species ever to be born at the conservation charity.
The baby will cling to its mother’s back for about six months until it is ready to walk, explore and find food on its own.
Parents Pedro and Bliss, both aged three, have been at the zoo since 2010 when they arrived as part of an international breeding programme.
Team manager David White said: “Bliss is a very good mum and is so far doing an excellent job of looking after her new arrival. She’s obviously very proud of her newborn.”
Giant anteaters are classed as ‘vulnerable’ to extinction by conservationists and the birth is good news for the unusual looking species.
Native to Central and South America the animals have no teeth but have tongues which can measure up to half a metre long.
