New arrivals at the zoo

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - It's summer time and what better way to spend your day than a visit to the Roger Williams Park Zoo. 

With the exciting arrival of several new animals, including New England’s only baby anteater, it's sure to be fun for the whole family. 

The arrival of the new animals is bringing even more excitement to Roger Williams Park Zoo.

"Anytime you have an opportunity to have new animals it's exciting. We hope certainly for the visitors but also for us to build a collection that's dynamic and a little bit different," said Tim French, the Deputy Director of Animal Programs at the zoo.

The zoo welcomes a rare Devon milking cow.  

"It’s one of our heritage breeds and American livestock conservancy considers this one of the most endangered of the historic cattle breeds. And we have worked with swish village foundation in Newport various times in the past committed to saving these heritage breeds for future potential needs ."

There are many themes throughout the zoo.  

"To expand that South American theme, so we went with the king vulture which is a very striking bird, very pretty, " said French. "Of the other five vultures species the king vulture is the largest and visually the most striking."

New homes have been built to make the new arrivals feel at home.

"You have to ensure the enclosure is set up to meet their needs, both as a species and as individual animals. The female bird has some foot damage probably from many, many years ago so she needs a greater variety of perching options to help her move around the enclosure."

Two of the new arrivals are a hand full.

"The Takin is very spirited they've given us a run for our money since their arrival here. They're very strong animals, they're also very intelligent, so it's kind of like dealing with a bison's strength and a goat's intellect."

But, they seem to be enjoying their new home.

"They have systematically worked through the entire enclosure, they've beaten down every stalk of bamboo, eaten all of the leafy portions they could find, they've beat up the grass, chewed up pretty much all of the bushes and shrubs."

One of the animals the zoo is most proud of is the only baby giant anteater in New England! The collection continues to grow and diversify.  

"As a zoo manager this is kind of what you live for. You certainly do the best you can to provide the best care for all the animals, whether it’s an insect or an elephant. But to be able to do new things, different things, design exhibits, build a diverse and unique collection its great because you see how people enjoy it, but it also allows us to stretch our own abilities and expand our knowledge." 

The new animals - the Devon milking cow, the King Vultures, the Takin, and the cute baby Anteater can be seen throughout the zoo. Stop by to have a look at the fresh faces.

More creatures are on the way! The zoo said they are expecting red river hogs -- coming later this summer.