THEY have spent ten long months so near to each other, yet so far apart.

But yesterday Marwell Zoo's two giant anteaters were finally allowed to spend the day, if not the night, together.

Male Ernesto has been left with just the odd sniff of new pen-mate Arica through wire mesh since she arrived from Germany last year, with staff keen to introduce the pair to each other slowly.

The hope is that love will ultimately blossom between the two, but the patter of tiny anteater feet is still a long way off.

Arica is not yet old enough to breed, and from their initial meetings it is very clear she is the one calling the shots in any potential relationship.

"Arica hasn't quite reached breeding age yet, so whereas Ernesto's a little bit older and really interested in her she's not so sure of him," said animal keeper Holly Black.

"But she's set the rules between them and they seem to be happy enough now.

"We're hoping they'll get on, fall in love and have babies at some point."