Anteaters Maria and Tupi now sharing a habitat
We’ve been eating up the new adorable pairing here at the Buffalo Zoo!
Giant anteaters Maria and Tupi are now sharing a habitat together on a regular basis in M&T Bank Rainforest Falls!
After Tupi arrived in Buffalo earlier this year on a Species Survival Plan recommendation to breed with Maria, the two were a little slow to hit it off. Maria was particularly stand-offish at first, but Tupi was patient, especially as Maria bopped him on the nose a few times to let him know he wasn’t in charge. But love is in the air and the pair are regularly seen interacting together in positive ways on exhibit. It makes not only for a cute scene, but a positive step forward in our conservation mission.
After a visual introduction period which took place behind the scenes, the two eventually began spending time out on habitat together — and it didn’t take long for Maria to let Tupi get close.
Whether they’re following each other around, playfully jumping at one another or even rolling on the ground together, there’s been no shortage of positive interactions for keepers and visitors to see!
Our keepers are also keeping a close eye on the pair for any signs of breeding, with the hope that in the future we’ll welcome an anteater pup to Buffalo.
Giant anteaters are considered vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with around 5,000 of them estimated to remain in the wild.
The animal’s population is decreasing largely due to habitat destruction, hunting and road collisions. Giant anteaters are highly susceptible to the latter due to their poor vision, slow movement and nocturnal behaviors, as roads cut through their natural feeding and habitat areas.
The giant anteater’s slow reproduction rate (only 1 pup per birth any given year) makes breeding recommendations like the one that brought Tupi to Buffalo, as well as the hard work that goes into ensuring successful breeding, integral to saving this incredible species.
Tupi and Maria can be seen sharing their habitat in M&T Bank Rainforest Falls daily until around 2:30 p.m. for the foreseeable future. From 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., one of the anteaters will be on exhibit on a rotational basis. Even as close as they are becoming, alone time is still important for this mostly solitary species!
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