What better way to warm up a cold January than with a little romance?

For the last 3 months the zoo's newest arrival ‘Tank’ has been the zoo’s most eligible bachelor. Born at London Zoo and arriving from Tropical World, the 7 year old hairy armadillo has been settling in and charming keepers and visitors alike. However, as the only armadillo in Cumbria, zoo staff were keen to find him a companion of his own.

So, almost three months to the day, one year old ‘Nessa’ arrived from Askham Bryan Wildlife Conservation Park on January 2nd. With Valentine’s Day not far off, the zoo is hoping to welcome the patter of tiny paws later in the year.

Female armadillos mature at nine months, so Oasis manager Jack Williams has high hopes for the zoo’s newest couple. “Tank is delighted to have a new companion, and Nessa is such a character and just as active and cheeky as he is. We’ve gradually introduced them this week, and they’re getting on really well, playing affectionately together. With them both coming from Yorkshire, they clearly speak the same language!”

Fans are already following Tank and Nessa’s blossoming romance via the zoo’s Facebook page. Cumbria’s only armadillos can be visited close up, alongside our emperor tamarins and common marmosets in our Monkey House.

Cartoon by Jack Knight.