A new “princess dirt pig” is in town!
For the first time in more than 35 years, the San Diego Zoo announced the birth of an aardvark cub to first-time aardvark parents, Zola, and father, Azaan. Native to sub-Saharan Africa, the aardvark is a unique mammal species whose Afrikaans-derived name translates to “earth pig”.
Wildlife care specialists say that the cub, who is yet to be named, was born May 10 and is doing well.
“We are elated to have this little cub in our care,” said Cari Inserra, lead wildlife Care Specialist, San Diego Zoo. “She is very active and was using her sharp claws to dig like an adult aardvark, just hours after her birth.”
Inserra added, “Zola is an excellent mother, and nurses her cub frequently. The cub is developing quickly and has tripled her birth weight from over four pounds to over 13 pounds in just five weeks. We can’t wait until we can introduce the cub to our zoo guests, helping them learn about this remarkable species.”
According to the San Diego Zoo, the aardvark species are born hairless with wrinkly, pink skin and floppy ears. The cub’s skin is beginning to smooth at five weeks old, ears perk up, and the typical aardvark pig-like snout, long, strong tail, poor eyesight but a keen sense of smell is present.
Wildlife care specialists observed the cub rarely leaving her mother’s side. The cub will nurse from Zola for the next six months, but will then transition to eating insects after two to three months.
According to the San Diego Zoo, the cub could eventually wight up to 140 pounds in about a year when she is fully grown. Several characteristics of an adult aardvark include strong front legs and long claws adapted for digging burrows.
The aardvark species are nocturnal, spending the daylight hours in their dark burrows. They come out in the evening to feed on ants and termites that they slurp with a long sticky tongue.
Wildlife care specialists say an adult aardvark can eat up to 50,000 insects in a single evening.
The cub and Zola will remain in an off-view habitat to bond for about two months. The San Diego Zoo said that when Zola is ready, she will bring her cub outside, and guests may see them during a wildlife presentation at the Africa Rocks stage.
The cub’s parents were paired through a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan, designed to help maintain a healthy assurance population. Aardvarks are species of Least Concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened species.
Wildlife care experts say the human population growth and hunting have put this species at risk.
