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UK zoo welcomes the birth of a giant anteater pup

Close up of the baby anteater snuggled in its mother's fur. It has a striped front leg, small ears and a long snoutBlackpool Zoo

The zoo says the new arrival "like all baby anteaters, prefers the safety of mum for now"

Blackpool Zoo is celebrating the birth of a giant anteater pup, which zoologists say is "considered the most threatened mammal in Central America".

It is the fourth baby born to parents Andina and Eskil, who are both 15-years-old, and live at the zoo.

Their growing family now includes their daughter Myrtle, who is two, and the newest arrival.

Two of their older pups are living in different zoos.

Although the species is called the giant anteater, the pup is still very small - only about 50cm (20in) long!

An adult giant anteater with black and white diagonal stripes on its legs and shoulders, dense shaggy hair on its tail ands a large snoutBlackpool Zoo

Giant anteaters have black and white diagonal stripes, dense shaggy hair and super-sized snouts

Jason Keller, senior keeper, said: "Giant anteaters are such a unique species and every birth is really important for their conservation.

"They are classified as vulnerable to extinction in the wild and, with populations in continued decline, they are considered the most threatened mammal in Central America.

"The new arrival is already able to walk around on its own but, like all baby anteaters, prefers the safety of mum for now."

Giant anteaters have black and white diagonal stripes, thick shaggy hair and super-sized snouts.

They have no teeth, instead they use their long tongues to slobber up thousands of ants and termites all day.

They come from the swamps and forests in areas including Southern Belize and northern Argentina.