A BABY giant anteater born nearly three months ago at Colchester Zoo is thriving, according to its keepers.It is gaining weight at an impressive rate, and keepers have noticed it already has a playful personality and is even quite boisterous.

A BABY Giant Anteater born nearly three months ago at Colchester Zoo is thriving, according to its keepers.

It is gaining weight at an impressive rate, and keepers have noticed it already has a playful personality and is even quite boisterous.

A zoo spokesman said: “It likes to try and adventure away from its mother, but she is not too keen to let him wonder too far.

“The next milestone will be in late March or early April when the weather gets warmer and the baby will be able to go out into the outside enclosure during the day. It is hoped that the weather will warm up soon so that we can reach this next stage quickly.

“The baby is still feeding from its mother and will continue to do so for at least the first six months of its life.

“It will also stay predominantly on its mother's back for these months, even until the baby is over half the size of its mother.”

The baby Giant Anteater was born to mother Furai on December 2. This is the first baby of Furai, who is still just two-and-a-half years old.

Furai moved to Colchester from Zurich Zoo last February to join Gilberto, the resident male.