The gender of the newborn has not been determined yet. To protect his bond with his mother, six-year-old Ibera, he still carries him on her back – both indoor and outdoor enclosures in the South American section of the zoo.
His father, 14-year-old Yavi, is kept separate from the pair as male blood-sucking agents can pose a risk to young animals.
The zoo is still holding the turnip firmly to Ibera’s back with its claws, and its coat is almost invisible, blending with her. Regarding Yabi, a zoo official said he was already the father of four and the father of his grandfather.
The giant enemy is listed as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List, and has a declining population in parts of South America.