Zoo Animals on Vacation

by Sarah Rose Subscribe to Sarah Rose's posts Posted Feb 18th 2011 05:30 PM

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We flock to zoos to see exotic animals from faraway lands, but those creatures may just be visiting, too. Some travel as goodwill ambassadors, others make a trip for a little long distance romance to mate and shake up the gene pool of a captive species. Here are some of our favorite critters who have taken their show on the road.

Giant Anteaters to Washington, D.C. from Nashville

Smithsonian National Zoological Park

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Giant Anteaters to Washington, D.C. from Nashville

It's not just pandas who are getting busy at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. Mating giant anteaters Dante and Maripi are also using their vacation, courtesy of their home zoo in Nashville, to mate. It's all part of a plan to prevent inbreeding in captivity. But what delights visitors is watching the curious-looking anteaters flick their two-foot-long tongues. The couple's pup Cyrano, born in D.C. in 2009, was sent back to his parents' Nashville home. A third pup was born in December 2010.

See below to watch our AOL Travel videos from Zoos across the country