Baby aardvark makes debut at Detroit Zoo

BY TAMMY STABLES BATTAGLIA • FREE PRESS

Amani the baby aardvark has made her public debute at the Detroit Zoo, soon to be joined later this month or in early July by a trio of lions rescued from a facility in Kansas.

The aardvark, born in December, began mugging her ‘so ugly she’s cute’ look for visitors in May.

The male and two female lions, rescued in March, could make their debut as early as this week, Detroit Zoo spokeswoman Patricia Janeway said today. The zoo agreed to take the lions after one bit a visitor who stuck his hand through a hole cut in a fence so he could pet them, she said.

“The person who owned it called it an animal refuge, but it was just a junkyard,” Janeway said. They’ll be named by three high bidders at the Zoo’s annual auction fundraiser June 19, she added.

The zoo will be rebuilding the lion exhibit later this year, foregoing the moat there now for a glass wall that allows more space for the animals.

Lily and Erdferkel (Detroit Zoo)

Amani, Swahili for peace, will also be joined at the end June or early July by another aardvark born May 23. Believed to be a male, the baby aardvark is named Erdferkel, German for aardvark.

“Obviously they’re very unusual looking animals,” Janeway said. “I guess ‘cute’ is in the eye of the beholder.”

Tickets for the Sunset at the Zoo fundraiser range from $150 to $600 per person. A VIP reception will be held at the Zoo on Friday, June 19, 5:30 to 7 p.m., for those purchasing $600 benefactor tickets and $300 patron tickets. Tickets can be ordered by phone at (248) 541-5717 ext. 3750 or online at www.detroitzoo.org.

Similar Posts:

• Detroit Zoo Welcomes Baby Aardvark
• Zoo works to bring lions closer to visitors
• Junkyard lions arrive at Detroit Zoo
• Oregon Zoo Concert Series Begins June 17th
• Omaha zoo on hunt for name for sea lion pup