San Diego Zoo Celebrates Birth of First Sloth Pup Since 2022

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The San Diego Zoo is celebrating the birth of a Linné’s two-toed sloth, the first of its kind welcomed at the zoo since 2022. The baby sloth was born to 12-year-old mother Xena on February 8, according to a zoo announcement.

Xena, already a mother to two other sloths, Tornero and Colheita, has given birth to her third pup, which is currently unnamed. A zoo spokesperson noted that the newborn will spend considerable time bonding with its mother in the upcoming months.

“Sloth mothers are very in tune with the needs of their newborns and will allow their pups to cling to their chest after birth so they can be cleaned off and nurse,” the spokesperson explained. This maternal behavior is crucial for the sloth’s early development.

As the sloth pup matures, zoo visitors will have the opportunity to see Xena and her new baby during presentations at the Wildlife Explorers Basecamp. This engagement is an effort by the zoo to educate visitors about sloths and their habitat.

The announcement came alongside a social media post from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, celebrating the birth with enthusiasm: “Slow down to celebrate the sweetest news 🌿🦥 Mama Xena welcomed her third baby in early February, the first sloth pup born at the San Diego Zoo since 2022.”

The zoo continues to prioritize animal care and education, and the birth of this sloth pup is part of a larger commitment to wildlife conservation efforts. For more information on the San Diego Zoo and their initiatives, visitors are encouraged to check their official website.