Nashville Zoo is starting 2026 with a milestone moment!
The zoo welcomed its first-ever aardvark calf early on New Year’s Day at 6:06 a.m. The newborn, born to parents Karanga and Winsol, weighs about four pounds and is roughly the length of a rolling pin.
Zoo officials say both Karanga and her calf are doing well and are being carefully monitored by the animal care team in a behind-the-scenes habitat.
Aardvarks are rare in accredited zoos, with only 33 currently living in AZA-accredited facilities. This newborn is the 34th and the first aardvark calf born since 2024, making the birth a notable moment for the species.
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