Cecilia the rescued anteater is now a mom
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Once an orphan rescued from the 2021 wildfires in Brazil, Cecilia the giant anteater returned to the wild – and is now a mother! 💕
In 2021, Cecilia the giant anteater was found orphaned after her mother was tragically killed while fleeing the wildfires in Brazil’s Pantanal. She was one of the lucky ones. She was rescued, cared for and eventually released back to the wild in 2023.
After months without a sighting, Cecilia was spotted with a newborn pup clinging to her back. The tiny pup, only days old and weighing less than 2 kg, is almost hairless and will remain on their mother’s back for around six months, learning the skills they need to survive.
This joyful moment was made possible thanks to compassionate supporters like you and our partners at Institute Tamanduá. With the dedicated care of veterinarians and wildlife specialists at the Rehabilitation Center of Wild Animals in Campo Grande, Cecilia grew strong enough to return to her natural habitat.
Her pup represents not only her own survival, but the survival of her species. Giant anteaters are classified as 'Vulnerable' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and their numbers continue to decline due to wildfires, deforestation and vehicle strikes.
Seeing Cecilia thrive and raise a baby is a powerful reminder that, with protection and long-term care, wildlife can recover. For nearly two years, World Animal Protection, in partnership with Instituto Tamanduá and the Orphans of Fire Project, provided food, enrichment, medical attention and a safe space for Cecilia to grow. That investment is now paying off in the best way possible – a new generation of anteaters.
Cecilia’s tiny pup clinging tightly to her back is more than an adorable sight – it's a reminder of what’s possible when compassion meets action.
Together, we can help more animals like Cecilia survive wildfires, escape suffering and one day raise families of their own.
Video footage thanks to Instituto Tamandua.
Banner photo: World Animal Protection / Luiz Felipe Mendes