This tiny one-month-old armadillo pup, who was born at a zoo in Washington state from first time parents Vespa and Scooter, has been named Segway. <br /><br />ThePoint Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (PDZA) in Tacoma, Washington announced the birth of the Southern three-banded armadillo pup in late October. <br /><br />Segway is the first healthy armadillo pup to be born at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in its 116-year history.<br /><br />Maureen O’Keefe, the assistant curator, said:<br /><br />“Born to first-time parents Vespa and Scooter, the name Segway seemed to fit right in with the family.<br /><br />“She has quadrupled in size since she was born and is now the size of a softball, weighing 14 ounces - she was just 3 ounces at birth. <br /><br />She has also opened her eyes and is moving around her den more every day.”<br /><br />PDZA promotes effective conservation and envisions a world where people and wildlife can share the Earth in harmony.<br /><br />As an assistant curator, Maureen applies strict values of conservation and science, among many others, to the animals in her care. <br /><br />She detailed that Segway will remain behind-the-scenes while she continues to grow, nurse and bond with her mother:<br /><br />“She’ll continue to nurse from Vespa for about another month in the Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater. <br /><br />"Segway is the first healthy armadillo pup to be born at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in its 116-year history.<br /><br />“We’re thrilled to welcome this pup into our animal family.”<br /><br />Vespa, the pup’s mother, was monitored constantly leading up to the birth. Maureen detailed the steps it took to ensure the birth a safe, happy and healthy pup:<br /><br />“Vespa was trained to allow us to give her voluntary ultrasounds throughout her pregnancy - she’d even let us feel her belly without curling up in a ball! <br /><br />"She really allowed us to give her the care she needed.<br /><br />“We observed mom and pup around the clock to ensure Segway was getting the necessary nourishment from Vespa.<br /><br />“She will be viewable to guests during Close Encounters once she is old enough.”<br /><br />Segway’s birth was recommended by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP) for Southern three-banded armadillos. <br /><br />The SSP looked at the genetic makeup of Vespa and Scooter and confirmed they should breed. <br /><br />They do this with each prospective parent before recommending a pairing to help ensure the diversity of armadillos in North American Zoo.<br /><br />Southern three-banded armadillos are native to South America and are listed as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. <br /><br />Their primary threats include habitat destruction, hunting and capture for the pet trade.<br /><br />The footage was filmed on December 1st.
