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Staten Island Zoo Welcomes Baby Tamandua

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - It's a first for the New York metropolitan area.

The Staten Island Zoo said that a baby tamandua named MJ was born there in January.

It's just the second baby tamandua born in New York state to survive.

MJ's mother DJ and father EJ have been at the Staten Island Zoo since 2011. The unusual names are in honor of the donors of the animals.

Tamanduas are native to south and central America and live in forests and grasslands. They eat ants and termites and partially prehensile tails.

EJ remains on exhibit while DJ and MJ are resting. MH is expected to go on exhibit this spring.

Baby MJ Rides DJ The Tamandua
Baby MJ rides DJ the tamandua. (credit: Staten Island Zoo)

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