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ATLANTA — In an exciting development, Zoo Atlanta proudly announced on Wednesday the birth of its inaugural endangered southern three-banded armadillo pup.
While Georgia is home to many nine-banded armadillos, the southern three-banded variety is native to South American countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay.
The zoo is providing special care to their newest resident as part of the Ambassador Animals collection. This species is classified as “near threatened” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Dr. Gina Ferrie, Vice President of Collections and Conservation at the zoo, emphasized the significance of this event. “This birth holds particular importance as it marks the first armadillo born at Zoo Atlanta. Given that baby armadillos are seldom observed in the wild, there is a natural curiosity about their appearance, growth, and development. We eagerly anticipate watching this young one mature, offering our members and visitors a chance to learn about the unique behaviors and adaptations of this species, distinct from the nine-banded armadillos commonly found in Georgia,” she stated.
The newborn pup now joins its parents, Persephone and Finnegan, as well as another southern three-banded armadillo named Violetta, in their Zoo Atlanta habitat.