ANTEATER RETURNS: Rare Mammal Spotted in Argentina for First Time Since 1986...

A giant anteater spotted at Argentina's Alma Guaraní reserve in 2025 marks the first confirmed sighting of the species in Corrientes province since 1986. Researchers believe the animal, likely a male, may have arrived from neighboring Chaco province after the Paraná River dropped to historically low levels in 2024, drawn to the reserve by recovering vegetation and increased food sources. The sighting follows restoration efforts begun in 2021 that removed livestock, hunting, and fishing pressure from the 6,400-hectare reserve. While conservationists hope this signals the effectiveness of passive restoration, they caution it's unclear whether the anteater represents the start of population recovery or simply a lone individual fleeing shrinking habitat elsewhere in the Gran Chaco.