After three months of gradual introductions and behavioural monitoring, Parco Natura Viva has officially opened its new Pantanal exhibit, the only habitat in Italy where giant anteaters, South American tapirs and rheas live together. The three South American species all face conservation challenges in the wild.
The final step was the introduction of the park’s two giant anteaters, whose arrival immediately sparked the curiosity of their new companions. Even the neighbouring maned wolf mother paused while carrying her pup to observe the unfamiliar animals. The most inquisitive resident, however, has been Alba, the South American tapir, who continues to follow the anteaters wherever they go.
“Today, the new Pantanal is home to a pair of giant anteaters, a father and daughter South American tapir, and three rheas, the largest flightless birds in South America. The real achievement,” explained Giorgio Ottolini, curator of Parco Natura Viva, “was guiding these seven animals towards a balanced coexistence while respecting the needs and pace of each individual. We can now say we have achieved that goal after three months of gradual introductions and behavioural monitoring carried out in collaboration with the University of Parma through the research activities of our Openature Foundation. Today, all the animals share the entire habitat, freely choosing the areas best suited to their daily activities.”
“The anteaters,” Ottolini continued, “seem mainly focused on exploring their new surroundings, using their long tubular snouts and tongues to reach ants and insects hidden among logs and in the ground. They regularly share the water area with the tapirs, while the rheas prefer the open grassland, foraging while keeping a greater distance from their companions.”
Covering 3,000 square metres, the new exhibit recreates the Pantanal, the world’s largest tropical wetland spanning Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. It was developed in support of the European “Wetlands for Life” campaign.
The Pantanal is increasingly threatened by habitat conversion, wildfires and climate change. Among its most iconic inhabitants are the giant anteater and the South American tapir, both listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, while the greater rhea is classified as Near Threatened.
