It’s always worth celebrating when a new animal is born, but the recent arrival of a spotted fanaloka is especially exciting news: not only is it good news for a vulnerable species, but the pup makes history as the first of its kind ever born in the United States.
On May 13, the Nashville Zoo announced that the male pup arrived on April 29. They noted that it’s a species you’ve “probably never heard of,” but it’s hard not to fall in love at first sight with this adorable newborn:
The spotted fanaloka is a euplerid carnivore native to Madagascar. According to the IUCN Red List, they are considered a vulnerable species, with a decreasing population, threatened by habitat loss and hunting.
The new arrival comes as part of a conservation effort in accordance with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The pup’s parents recently arrived at the Nashville Zoo.
The family of three are the only known fanaloka in an AZA zoo United States, and the pup is the first of the species to ever be born in the US.
“We are honored to have them here and to help conserve this vulnerable species!” the Nashville Zoo wrote.
The zoo says the newborn is visible at their veterinary center, while his parents are living behind the scenes.
While the fanoka is not a species most people have ever heard of, this newborn is so precious that he might inspire people to care about this vulnerable species and help the conservation efforts.
What a beautiful and history-making newborn! Congrats to everyone at the zoo on this exciting birth, an important step in the conservation of this vulnerable species.
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