SINGAPORE: Singapore has bred a giant anteater baby, the first time that an animal from the threatened species has been born in captivity in Southeast Asia, zoo officials said Monday.

The baby was born on November 18 and has been riding on its mother's back with the help of its small claws, venturing down only to suckle, Wildlife Reserves Singapore said in a statement. Its nose is only a few centimetres long at this stage, but will get much longer.

Wildlife Reserves is the parent company of Singapore Night Safari, a zoo that has focused on breeding rare, endangered animals such as giant flying squirrel, Malayan flying fox, spotted hyena and greater mousedeer.

Chris Furley, director of zoology and veterinary services at Night Safari and the adjacent Singapore Zoo, attributed the birth to good husbandry techniques and said it was significant because the creature "represents vital genetic stock."

Once the nursing period of six months is over, the baby giant anteater and its mother will be placed in an exhibit at Night Safari, Wildlife Reserves said. The total giant anteater population at the park will be five, including one from Dortmund Zoo in Germany, the company said.

The giant anteater, which lives in tropical forests and grassy plains from Panama to Argentina, has disappeared from much of its natural habitat because of development and hunting.

The animal grows to about the size of a German shepherd dog, and has long, stiff, dark hair with a white stripe.

(China Daily 01/13/2006 page13)