Detroit Zoo's Oldest-Living Anteater Dies: Officials

ROYAL OAK, MI — The oldest living giant anteater in the Detroit Zoo died, zoo officials announced Monday morning.

The anteater, Chesley, was born in 1996 and lived a longer life than most anteaters, zoo officials said. She was 26 years old and arrived at the Detroit Zoo in 1997.

"Chesley or ‘Mama-Ches’ (as she was affectionately known) was a great companion to several other anteaters including her daughter, Raya, and Bissell, her great-granddaughter," associate curator of mammals Betsie Meister, who cared for her at the Detroit Zoo said. "She often enjoyed taking naps in the sunshine and tearing apart one of her favorite treats, an avocado, with her front claws. As her species name suggests, Chesley also enjoyed digging up ants and other insects she could find in her outdoor habitat."

Her daughter, Raya, and great-granddaughter, Bissell, will remain in the habitat at the zoo, officials said.