An albino anteater was recently found in Mato Grosso do Sul. With light fur and reddish eyes, it was baptized with the name of Alvin. According to experts, it is the only known giant albino anteater on the planet and its existence may help explain how deforestation in the cerrado affects the species. The discovery took place in August of this year and is mobilizing researchers from the Institute for the Conservation of Wild Animals (ICAS), which began a scientific study on the animal and its adaptation to the cerrado.
With only eight months of life, it was found by employees of a private farm in the region of Três Lagoas, a city about 330 km from the capital, Campo Grande. As a baby, it was with its mother, who carried it on her back – the female usually takes care of the baby for up to 10 months. Its mother, however, had characteristics common to the giant anteater: grayish fur that serves to camouflage the animal amidst the vegetation of the Cerrado.
Translated by Cassy Dias