Sweden has first giant anteater birth

ESKILSTUNA, Sweden, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- Officials at a Swedish zoo said a giant anteater became the first ever to give birth in the country.

Helena Olsson, chief zoologist for the Parken Zoo in Eskilstuna, said mother anteater Benita gave birth unexpectedly Dec. 23 after she was separated from her mate when workers discovered blood in the cage, The Local reported Tuesday.

"This is extremely rare. As far as I know it's never happened in Sweden before," Olsson said.

She said zookeepers were initially worried when the mother began scratching her newborn son with her claws, but they soon discovered it was a natural part of the anteater birth.

"Benita was simply cleaning her son by carefully removing the amniotic membrane from her his body," Olsson said.

Olsson said the mother and her mate, Rozinski, were the only giant anteaters in Sweden before the birth of their baby.

"That's what makes this so special. It's rare enough to have an anteater in your zoo, but a birth is even less common," she said.