By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo had to drive nearly 300 miles one way to pick up their early Christmas present, but have returned with their latest resident. Zoo staff drove to Tulsa, Oklahoma last week to pick up an anteater.
Named Enzo, the anteater is primarily an insectivore and has no teeth. The animal is a Southern Tamandua, or lesser anteater. The species originates from South America.
Great
Bend Zoologicial Society board president Alicia Boor said the creature will
eventually be used as an educational ambassador to teach the public about his
species.
"They are interesting animals," said Boor. "You don't realize how strong they are until you see them. The zoo staff is hoping to make Enzo a program animal to get you up close and personal to something most people would never see."
The anteater was handraised, or brought up and cared for by a human.
Enzo is currently off-exhibit while he settles into the zoo exhibit.
The free Great Bend zoo is open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day.