ZSL London Zoo has welcomed the arrival of a beautiful baby sloth.
The little one was born to Marilyn the two-toed in February after a year-long pregnancy, but has only just been spotted by keepers.
“Sloths have a long gestation period so the infants are already physically well-developed when they’re born. Incredibly, this means they are able to eat solid food right away.
“However, juveniles tend to stay with their mother for around 12 months before leaving their side – they’re a very ‘clingy’ species in general; to trees and to their mum.”
The baby’s birth will be added to the European Studbook (ESB) as part of a co-ordinated breeding programme for the species.
The ZSL is the Zoological Society of London, a conservation and education charity with projects in more than 50 countries.
