Denver has a new reason to say “aww.” The Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance just announced the arrival of a healthy southern tamandua pup, born in the early morning hours of Monday, September 7 to proud parents Winnie and Santiago.
The little one arrived nearly a month ahead of schedule, but was born fully developed and at a healthy weight. Nursing didn’t come naturally to mom and baby at first, so the Zoo’s Animal Care and Veterinary Medicine teams stepped in with around-the-clock bottle feedings while helping Winnie and her pup learn together.
Thanks to the trusting bond Winnie has built with her care team, everything has turned a beautiful corner: the pup is now nursing regularly from Winnie, while the team continues supplemental feedings and close monitoring. Winnie has been patient and attentive, spending nearly all of her time with her pup in their cozy nest box.
This moment is especially meaningful for Winnie, who lost her first pup last year. Watching her care for this new little one has been incredibly rewarding for the Zoo’s dedicated teams.
As Animal Ambassadors, Winnie, Santiago and their pup live behind the scenes. The pup will keep growing alongside Winnie until it is ready to latch onto the base of her tail and come out to explore, just as tamanduas do in the wild. While the little one stays out of the spotlight for now, there may be a chance to meet it in the coming months.
Photo: Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance
