Erin the Armadillo (2003-2025)
Obituary
Erin, an armadillo who loved to eat mealworms, died following years in captivity at the Topeka Zoo in Kansas.
Erin, a 22-year-old Southern three-banded armadillo, died at the Topeka Zoo in March 2025. She enjoyed eating mealworms.
Southern three-banded armadillos live in central South America, specifically Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia. They are covered in thick plates made from keratin that protect them from predators. Only a few predators can pierce their armor, including jaguars, alligators, and pumas. Brazilian and Southern three-banded armadillos are the only armadillos who can roll into balls.
The Topeka Zoo described Erin as an “ambassador animal” and noted she was frequently used in educational programs. But Erin had no choice in participating. For a wild animal, interactions like these—especially with large groups of noisy children---are frightening. “Ambassador” animals don’t teach children about their species; they only teach them that keeping animals in captivity for our entertainment is okay. These armadillos are primarily nocturnal, making daytime “interactions” even more stressful. Erin was bred several times at the zoo, and her babies were sent to other facilities to be displayed.
Southern three-banded armadillos are classified as near-threatened by the IUCN due to habitat loss for agricultural development and hunting. Southern three-banded armadillos are also captured for the zoo and pet trade. Many individuals die during capture and export.
World Animal Protection urges everyone who loves armadillos to avoid zoos and enjoy them in the wild or at sanctuaries.
