Doug the armadillo may be small, but he has a big story to tell! As a three-banded armadillo, Doug is part of a species that’s facing threats in the wild due to habitat loss and hunting. But at the Seneca Park Zoo, he’s a special ambassador helping people learn about the importance of protecting animals like him. With his tough armor and speedy legs, Doug is one incredible creature.
Doug came to the Seneca Park Zoo from a zoo in Cleveland where he was born. Doug came to New York in 2010 and has been an important part of the zoo’s ambassador animal program, which helps educate and spread awareness on different species.
Kimberly Bracken is the naturalist coordinator at the Seneca Park Zoo and organizes educational programs about the zoo’s different animals.
“Doug has worked to bring awareness to not only three-banded armadillos but also the habitats that they rely on out in nature,” Bracken says. “He allows people to connect with armadillos, meet one in person, and learn about the threats that they are facing. He also helps us inspire action to save those habitats.”
Three-banded armadillos like Doug can be found in South America, specifically in marshy areas and in rainforests in places like Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. Doug’s species is classified as “near extinction.” This is in part caused by the destruction of the rainforests where they live as people clear the forests for mining, farming, and urbanization.
“Doug has a really important role here at the Seneca Park Zoo, and he does an amazing job,” Bracken says. “He has a wonderful disposition where he very much enjoys interacting with his keepers and the naturalists he works with as well as the guests he meets out on the road as an education or ambassador animal.”
Doug travels to schools, nursing homes, and special events throughout Western New York.
When he is at home at the zoo, Doug is kept busy by his handlers. “Enrichment is something that is added to the animal’s day by their keepers,” says Bracken. “It’s given to an animal to give them novel ways to express their natural behaviors and to exercise both their mind and body. He’ll also get some extra treats during enrichment.”
Doug may be safe and well cared for at the Seneca Park Zoo, but his wild relatives still need help. By learning about three-banded armadillos and the challenges they face, we can all play a part in protecting them. Whether it’s supporting conservation efforts or simply sharing Doug’s story, every little action makes a difference. Learn more at senecaparkzoo.org.
This article originally appeared in the Spring 2025 issue of (585) Kids.
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