This tiny one-month-old armadillo pup, who was born at a zoo in Washington state from first time parents Vespa and Scooter, has been named Segway.
ThePoint Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (PDZA) in Tacoma, Washington announced the birth of the Southern three-banded armadillo pup in late October.
Segway is the first healthy armadillo pup to be born at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in its 116-year history.
Maureen O’Keefe, the assistant curator, said:
“Born to first-time parents Vespa and Scooter, the name Segway seemed to fit right in with the family.
“She has quadrupled in size since she was born and is now the size of a softball, weighing 14 ounces - she was just 3 ounces at birth.
She has also opened her eyes and is moving around her den more every day.”
PDZA promotes effective conservation and envisions a world where people and wildlife can share the Earth in harmony.
As an assistant curator, Maureen applies strict values of conservation and science, among many others, to the animals in her care.
She detailed that Segway will remain behind-the-scenes while she continues to grow, nurse and bond with her mother:
“She’ll continue to nurse from Vespa for about another month in the Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater.
"Segway is the first healthy armadillo pup to be born at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in its 116-year history.
“We’re thrilled to welcome this pup into our animal family.”
Vespa, the pup’s mother, was monitored constantly leading up to the birth. Maureen detailed the steps it took to ensure the birth a safe, happy and healthy pup:
“Vespa was trained to allow us to give her voluntary ultrasounds throughout her pregnancy - she’d even let us feel her belly without curling up in a ball!
"She really allowed us to give her the care she needed.
“We observed mom and pup around the clock to ensure Segway was getting the necessary nourishment from Vespa.
“She will be viewable to guests during Close Encounters once she is old enough.”
Segway’s birth was recommended by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP) for Southern three-banded armadillos.
The SSP looked at the genetic makeup of Vespa and Scooter and confirmed they should breed.
They do this with each prospective parent before recommending a pairing to help ensure the diversity of armadillos in North American Zoo.
Southern three-banded armadillos are native to South America and are listed as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Their primary threats include habitat destruction, hunting and capture for the pet trade.
The footage was filmed on December 1st.
