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R.I. zoo's new mom anteater dies

PROVIDENCE, R.I., May 20 (UPI) -- A Rhode Island zoo's giant anteater died of unrelated health issues almost two months after giving birth, zoo officials said.

The 8-year-old anteater, Talara, died Tuesday of a partial intestinal blockage and uterine and stomach lesions at the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, the Providence Journal reported.

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"None of these issues alone would likely have caused her death, though all could have contributed to her refusal to eat. We will have to wait for the pathology results to learn more," Tim French, the zoo's deputy director for animal programs, said.

"This is a very sad day for us, but we do make every effort to determine what happened," French said.

Talara's baby has been moved to a hospital and is learning to nurse from a bottle. Zoo staff are optimistic about her future, the Journal reported.

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