Giant Anteater - Distribution and Status

Distribution and Status

The giant anteater is native to Central and South America. Its known range stretches from Honduras to northern Argentina, and fossil remains have been found as far north as northwestern Sonora, Mexico. It is largely absent from the Andes and is extinct in Uruguay. It may also be extinct in Belize, Costa Rica and Guatemala. The species can be found in a number of habitats including both tropical rainforests and xeric shrublands, provided enough prey is present to sustain it.

The species is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, due to the number of regional extirpations, and under Appendix II by CITES, tightly restricting trade in specimens of the animal. Between 2000 and 2010 the total population declined by 30 percent. In 1994 some 340 anteaters died due to wildfires at Emas National Park in Brazil. The animal is particularly vulnerable to fires due to its slow movement and flammable coat.

Human-induced threats include collision with vehicles, attacks by dogs and habitat destruction. The anteater is commonly hunted in Bolivia, both for sport and sustenance. The animal's thick, leathery hide is used to make equestrian equipment in Chaco. In Venezuela, it is hunted for its claws. Anteaters are killed for safety reasons, due to their reputation as a dangerous animal. In reality, anteaters are typically placid and pose no threat to humans. However, in April 2007, an anteater at the Florencio Varela Zoo near Buenos Aires mauled zookeeper Melisa Casco, slashing her abdomen and legs with its front claws. She died following leg amputation surgery. The giant anteater remains widespread. Some populations are stable and the animal can be found in various protected areas in the Amazon and the Cerrado. It is officially protected in some Argentine provinces as a national heritage species.