Adorable, furry baby sloth makes its debut at Palm Beach Zoo
An adorable, furry baby Hoffman's two-toed sloth has made its debut at a zoo in Florida. Zookeepers at the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society have been monitoring the baby sloth and its mother, Wilbur, since witnessing the birth early in the morning of Jan. 23. Wilbur, who was the last sloth born at the Palm Beach Zoo 21 years ago, and her mate Dustin are part of a professional scientific breeding program called the Species Survival Plan. It manages the population of sloths in human care since their genetics may contribute to wild populations in the future, zoo officials said. Fad says Wilbur and Dustin were matched in a way she compared to dating apps for humans. Turns out, they were a perfect match. The goal is to "coordinate and work together so that we can help the conservation of these guys and have the best genetics and diversity possible in managed care," said zoo spokeswoman Kelly Fad. Male sloths do not play any part in the raising of babies, so Dustin remains in his original habitat at the zoo. Zoo officials are waiting to identify the baby sloth's gender before deciding on a name. The public is now welcome to visit the baby sloth.
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Golden lion tamarins and Hoffman's two-toed sloths have become roommates at the Palm Beach Zoo in Florida.
