Rare Sloth Birth at Zoo, Part of Crucial Conservation Program
Wilbur, a Hoffman’s two-toed sloth at Palm Beach Zoo, gave birth to a healthy baby as part of a Species Survival Plan. The pair are doing well, under close observation in their habitat, contributing to the conservation of their species.
By Beth Snider · February 11, 2024
An enchanting moment recently unfolded at the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society as Wilbur, a Hoffman’s two-toed sloth, gave birth to an adorable, furry baby. Both mother and baby are in good health and zookeepers have been closely monitoring the pair since the extraordinary event.
Kelly Fad, the zoo’s General Curator, had the privilege of witnessing the birth. She shared, “This happened right in front of my eyes as we were on a 24-hour watch. The hanging mom literally scoops down and helps the baby come up onto her body. She starts cleaning, and the nursing started within just a couple of hours.”
Wilbur, who holds a special place in the zoo’s history as the last sloth born there 21 years ago. Wilbur and her mate Dustin are integral parts of a professional scientific breeding program known as the Species Survival Plan (SSP). This program strategically manages the population of sloths in human care, with the hope that their genetics may contribute to the conservation of wild populations in the future.
Fad explained the matchmaking process, comparing it to dating apps for humans. “We work with other zoos, and there’s a keeper, species survival plan coordinator, so that we can find the best genetic matches. Turns out, they were a perfect match.”
"Gender is often a little bit hard to determine. So we like to give it a few weeks and really be able to know for certain what the gender is before we start with the naming process."
The male sloths do not participate in raising their offspring, and the father, Dustin, continues to reside in his original habitat beside the parrot yard. Wilbur and her baby will remain in their specialized habitat, viewable through windows for eager admirers.
Native to South and Central America, sloths are famed for their deliberate, slow-paced lifestyle, considered an adaptive strategy against predators. These arboreal animals spend most of their lives suspended in trees, engaging in various activities such as eating, sleeping, and giving birth while hanging from branches. With a low metabolic rate, sloths indulge in extended periods of sleep, ranging from 15 to 20 hours a day. Despite their slowness, sloths possess surprising strength, effortlessly lifting their entire body weight with one arm. The main threats to sloths include habitat loss due to deforestation and human intrusion. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect these creatures and their habitats.