Buffalo Zoo bids farewell to two rainforest animals

The Buffalo Zoo's four year-old giant anteater, Delilah, and  one-year-old ocelot, Nico are leaving the rainforest.

Delilah, who came to Buffalo in 2015 from the Palm Beach Zoo in West Palm Beach, Florida,

left for the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, Rhode Island.

Nico, who was born at the Buffalo Zoo on November 17, 2016, will be headed this week to the  Hutchinson Zoo in Hutchinson,Kansas.

Both moves are part of a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and
Aquarium's (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP). The goal of all SSPs is to help ensure the
survival of selected species in zoos and aquariums, most of which are threatened or
endangered.

"We are proud to participate in SSP programs with so many species here at the Buffalo Zoo,"
said Chief Conservation Officer, Tiffany Vanderwerf, Both Nico and Delilah's genetics
are very valuable to their respected populations, so it is important that AZA zoos work
together to keep these species alive."

The Buffalo Zoo is also looking to bring a new female giant anteater to become a companion
for the Zoo's current male Haji.