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| Famous baby giant armadillo found dead | Famous baby giant armadillo found dead |
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| For almost two years, Alex the giant armadillo has been the most famous of his little-known and cryptic species. Born in June of 2013, photos and videos of Alex appeared across the global media, including the BBC, National Geographic and Mongabay. From Alex and his mother, Isabelle, researchers learned that giant armadillos are far more parental and familial than long believed. | For almost two years, Alex the giant armadillo has been the most famous of his little-known and cryptic species. Born in June of 2013, photos and videos of Alex appeared across the global media, including the BBC, National Geographic and Mongabay. From Alex and his mother, Isabelle, researchers learned that giant armadillos are far more parental and familial than long believed. |
| Two weeks ago, researchers found Alex dead. | Two weeks ago, researchers found Alex dead. |
| “I was truly very sad,” said Arnaud Desbiez, the head of the Pantanal Giant Armadillo Project, the first long-term study ever of these mysterious animals. “[Alex] was mortally wounded by a predator most likely a puma and died inside one of his mother’s old burrows. “ | “I was truly very sad,” said Arnaud Desbiez, the head of the Pantanal Giant Armadillo Project, the first long-term study ever of these mysterious animals. “[Alex] was mortally wounded by a predator most likely a puma and died inside one of his mother’s old burrows. “ |
| Desbiez and his team became worried when photos from a camera trap outside the burrow showed that Alex had not left it for several days. Ominously, one of the photos caught a vulture peering into the burrow. | Desbiez and his team became worried when photos from a camera trap outside the burrow showed that Alex had not left it for several days. Ominously, one of the photos caught a vulture peering into the burrow. |
| “My heart sank as I saw that picture,” said Desbiez. “I went to smell the entrance of the burrow. I was devastated. I smelled a faint smell of rot instead of the sweet, strong acrid smell of a giant armadillo. I could not believe this was happening. I was in total shock.” | “My heart sank as I saw that picture,” said Desbiez. “I went to smell the entrance of the burrow. I was devastated. I smelled a faint smell of rot instead of the sweet, strong acrid smell of a giant armadillo. I could not believe this was happening. I was in total shock.” |
| The next day the team dug out the burrow. Inside they found Alex’s body. From a necropsy, the team believes that Alex was attacked by a puma. | The next day the team dug out the burrow. Inside they found Alex’s body. From a necropsy, the team believes that Alex was attacked by a puma. |
| “He managed to escape the predator, but suffered a deep wound between the shoulder blades. Too weak he sought refuge in an old burrow and did not have the strength to even dig,” said Desbiez. “He died inside the burrow after agonising for two days.” | “He managed to escape the predator, but suffered a deep wound between the shoulder blades. Too weak he sought refuge in an old burrow and did not have the strength to even dig,” said Desbiez. “He died inside the burrow after agonising for two days.” |
| For most of history, giant armadillos (Priodontes maximus) have been almost more myth than reality. The only member of the genus Priodontes, the world’s largest armadillos are massive and undeniably impressive. They can weigh more than 30 kilograms, grow longer than 1.5 meters and sport six-inch claws that make a velociraptor’s look diminutive. But as one of the most cryptic mammals in South America, scientists knew next to nothing about them. | For most of history, giant armadillos (Priodontes maximus) have been almost more myth than reality. The only member of the genus Priodontes, the world’s largest armadillos are massive and undeniably impressive. They can weigh more than 30 kilograms, grow longer than 1.5 meters and sport six-inch claws that make a velociraptor’s look diminutive. But as one of the most cryptic mammals in South America, scientists knew next to nothing about them. |
| Desbiez’s project – for which he recently won a prestigious Whitley Awards presented by David Attenborough – has changed all of that. | Desbiez’s project – for which he recently won a prestigious Whitley Awards presented by David Attenborough – has changed all of that. |
| Alex’s contribution to science | Alex’s contribution to science |
| It’s safe to say that scientists have learned more about giant armadillos from Alex and Isabelle than any other individuals before. Their relationship demolished previous ideas of giant armadillo behaviour. Researchers thought young giant armadillos might spend six weeks with their mother. But Alex lived in burrows with his mother for more than a year, and even at the time of his death remained close to her. | It’s safe to say that scientists have learned more about giant armadillos from Alex and Isabelle than any other individuals before. Their relationship demolished previous ideas of giant armadillo behaviour. Researchers thought young giant armadillos might spend six weeks with their mother. But Alex lived in burrows with his mother for more than a year, and even at the time of his death remained close to her. |
| “Alex was still living in his mother’s territory and although for the past five months he was digging his own burrows he showed no signs of getting ready to disperse,” said Desbiez. | “Alex was still living in his mother’s territory and although for the past five months he was digging his own burrows he showed no signs of getting ready to disperse,” said Desbiez. |
| In addition, at almost two Alex was not yet sexually mature. | In addition, at almost two Alex was not yet sexually mature. |
| “Many questions still remain,” said Desibiez. “How long would he have stayed with his mother? When was his mother going to have her next baby? When was Alex going to reach sexual maturity?” | “Many questions still remain,” said Desibiez. “How long would he have stayed with his mother? When was his mother going to have her next baby? When was Alex going to reach sexual maturity?” |
| All these questions take on massive importance because they are key to determining how quickly giant armadillos reproduce and, subsequently, how endangered they might be. Currently, the IUCN Red List considers giant armadillos as Vulnerable, which is partially based on the idea that giant armadillo generations last seven years. | All these questions take on massive importance because they are key to determining how quickly giant armadillos reproduce and, subsequently, how endangered they might be. Currently, the IUCN Red List considers giant armadillos as Vulnerable, which is partially based on the idea that giant armadillo generations last seven years. |
| But Alex’s death reiterates just how fragile giant armadillo lives can be, despite their heavily-armoured bodies. Before Alex, Isabelle had another baby – also documented by the team – but this infant was quickly killed by a male giant armadillo (later named Hannibal) looking to mate. | But Alex’s death reiterates just how fragile giant armadillo lives can be, despite their heavily-armoured bodies. Before Alex, Isabelle had another baby – also documented by the team – but this infant was quickly killed by a male giant armadillo (later named Hannibal) looking to mate. |
| “This is the second birth we have followed. Both ended tragically,” said Desbiez who added that through these mortalities “we realise once again how hard it is for these rare ancient creatures to survive.” | “This is the second birth we have followed. Both ended tragically,” said Desbiez who added that through these mortalities “we realise once again how hard it is for these rare ancient creatures to survive.” |
| Although it survives in many environments across South America – the Pantanal, the Amazon and the Cerrado – giant armadillos are naturally rare. They also face a rising tide of threats. People kill giant armadillos for food, for their claws and, at least in the Pantanal, because the species is believed to bring bad luck. Giant armadillos are also increasingly run over by cars on expanding road networks. And, of course, the species suffers from the widespread habitat loss and deforestation that imperils many other animals worldwide. | Although it survives in many environments across South America – the Pantanal, the Amazon and the Cerrado – giant armadillos are naturally rare. They also face a rising tide of threats. People kill giant armadillos for food, for their claws and, at least in the Pantanal, because the species is believed to bring bad luck. Giant armadillos are also increasingly run over by cars on expanding road networks. And, of course, the species suffers from the widespread habitat loss and deforestation that imperils many other animals worldwide. |
| Finally, according to Desbiez, the giant armadillo is imperilled by ignorance. | Finally, according to Desbiez, the giant armadillo is imperilled by ignorance. |
| “Why shouldn’t we get attached to our subjects?” | “Why shouldn’t we get attached to our subjects?” |
| “The general public does not know this species exists or when shown a picture believe it is already extinct,” he said. “This should be considered a threat as the species [could] go extinct without anybody caring.” | “The general public does not know this species exists or when shown a picture believe it is already extinct,” he said. “This should be considered a threat as the species [could] go extinct without anybody caring.” |
| Given how cryptic and elusive the species is there are currently no real estimates of how many giant armadillos remain on the planet. Still, scientists believe the population has probably fallen by at least 30% in the last 25 years – and continues to decline. | |
| Desbiez said people could help the species by spreading the word about giant armadillos and even visiting the project’s research site in the Pantanal. The project doesn’t just focus on giant armadillos, but also the southern naked-tailed armadillo, both the six-banded and nine-banded armadillo, the southern tamandua and the other giant in the Xenartha Order – made up of armadillos, sloths and anteaters – the giant anteater. | Desbiez said people could help the species by spreading the word about giant armadillos and even visiting the project’s research site in the Pantanal. The project doesn’t just focus on giant armadillos, but also the southern naked-tailed armadillo, both the six-banded and nine-banded armadillo, the southern tamandua and the other giant in the Xenartha Order – made up of armadillos, sloths and anteaters – the giant anteater. |
| In its sixth year, the project has been largely funded by zoos across the world. Desbiez says the team’s wealth of data once again proves the importance of supporting long-term research on species. | In its sixth year, the project has been largely funded by zoos across the world. Desbiez says the team’s wealth of data once again proves the importance of supporting long-term research on species. |
| Science and attachments | Science and attachments |
| “Why shouldn’t we get attached to our subjects?” Desbiez said when asked about his personal attachment to Alex. | “Why shouldn’t we get attached to our subjects?” Desbiez said when asked about his personal attachment to Alex. |
| For a long time, biologists frowned on personal attachments to their subjects – and some still do. But then came Jane Goodall. The iconic primatologist shocked the scientific world not only with her findings, but by giving chimps names instead of numbers and treating them as individuals with distinct personalities. | For a long time, biologists frowned on personal attachments to their subjects – and some still do. But then came Jane Goodall. The iconic primatologist shocked the scientific world not only with her findings, but by giving chimps names instead of numbers and treating them as individuals with distinct personalities. |
| “I feel no shame in saying I felt devastated to discover Alex died. Very sad indeed,” said Desbiez. “It is these strong emotions and connection to our study animals that give us the drive and strength to work so hard on behalf of their conservation.” | “I feel no shame in saying I felt devastated to discover Alex died. Very sad indeed,” said Desbiez. “It is these strong emotions and connection to our study animals that give us the drive and strength to work so hard on behalf of their conservation.” |
| Embracing such personal attachments has become far more common among conservationists. For one thing, it is arguably more honest for researchers to admit personal attachments to their subjects rather than pretend such feelings don’t exist – when obviously they do. | Embracing such personal attachments has become far more common among conservationists. For one thing, it is arguably more honest for researchers to admit personal attachments to their subjects rather than pretend such feelings don’t exist – when obviously they do. |
| “[Field conservationists] work in difficult remote conditions, long hours, isolation, insect bites, intense heat, we have to overcome so many challenges. It is the emotional connection to the species, and yes sometimes individuals, that make all these sacrifices worth it on a day to day basis while in the field,” noted Desbeiz. | “[Field conservationists] work in difficult remote conditions, long hours, isolation, insect bites, intense heat, we have to overcome so many challenges. It is the emotional connection to the species, and yes sometimes individuals, that make all these sacrifices worth it on a day to day basis while in the field,” noted Desbeiz. |
| Desbiez and his team weren’t alone in feeling a bond with little Alex. Many supporters of the project became attached to him through the team’s routine updates from the field. | Desbiez and his team weren’t alone in feeling a bond with little Alex. Many supporters of the project became attached to him through the team’s routine updates from the field. |
| “I am in tears,” wrote Karin Schwartz, a conservation biologist with George Mason University who has visited the project. “I have followed Alex’s story since his birth, enjoying those first pictures with such excitement and reading...with anticipation of the discoveries that [were] made from observing his development...Yet through these stories, we’re all the richer.” | “I am in tears,” wrote Karin Schwartz, a conservation biologist with George Mason University who has visited the project. “I have followed Alex’s story since his birth, enjoying those first pictures with such excitement and reading...with anticipation of the discoveries that [were] made from observing his development...Yet through these stories, we’re all the richer.” |
| Danni Parks, Award Manager for Whitley Funds, called Alex a “ a great ambassador for the species,” noting that while this is a “small consolation” for the loss of Alex it is also “far reaching.” | Danni Parks, Award Manager for Whitley Funds, called Alex a “ a great ambassador for the species,” noting that while this is a “small consolation” for the loss of Alex it is also “far reaching.” |
| Although Alex’s death is a tough setback for the Pantanal Giant Armadillo Project, Desbiez said the work to illuminate the private lives of these little-known animals will continue. | Although Alex’s death is a tough setback for the Pantanal Giant Armadillo Project, Desbiez said the work to illuminate the private lives of these little-known animals will continue. |
| “There are still so many questions we need to understand.” | “There are still so many questions we need to understand.” |
| With the grant from the Whitley Awards, the project is now expanding from the Pantanal into Brazil’s Cerrado. A vast tropical savannah, the Cerrado is one of the most threatened ecosystems in South America due to industrialised agriculture. Specifically, the team will be focusing their efforts in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. | With the grant from the Whitley Awards, the project is now expanding from the Pantanal into Brazil’s Cerrado. A vast tropical savannah, the Cerrado is one of the most threatened ecosystems in South America due to industrialised agriculture. Specifically, the team will be focusing their efforts in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. |
| “Thanks to our communication efforts [giant armadillos] have been selected by the state as one of the mammal indicator species for the creation of protected areas,” said Desbiez. “A species few knew of five years ago will now be championing habitat conservation.” | “Thanks to our communication efforts [giant armadillos] have been selected by the state as one of the mammal indicator species for the creation of protected areas,” said Desbiez. “A species few knew of five years ago will now be championing habitat conservation.” |
| The fact that giant armadillo presence could mean the establishment of new parks in Brazil proves the success not only of the project’s research, but also of their relentless educational and community outreach. | The fact that giant armadillo presence could mean the establishment of new parks in Brazil proves the success not only of the project’s research, but also of their relentless educational and community outreach. |
| New parks to safeguard giant armadillos would also be a fitting testament to the power of one little armadillo that captured the imagination of people in Brazil and beyond. A celebration of Alex. Although his life was brief, his impact will not be. Hopefully. | New parks to safeguard giant armadillos would also be a fitting testament to the power of one little armadillo that captured the imagination of people in Brazil and beyond. A celebration of Alex. Although his life was brief, his impact will not be. Hopefully. |