AssetID: 52803909
Headline: Cincinnati Zoo's Mother Sloth Lightning Takes Her Time In Giving Birth
Caption: The sloth care team at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, had to wait for one of the zoo’s slowest animals, as true to form their Linne’s two-toed Sloth baby took its time in arriving. The baby, born at 7:35 p.m. on June 7, appears to be healthy and strong and is bonding with mom, Lightning behind the scenes. “This is the first sloth baby that our team has cared for,” said Cincinnati Zoo’s manager of ambassador animals Julie Grove. “We are beyond excited that the baby is finally here! We’re ready to provide support to Lightning as she navigates being a mom.” In 2021, Lightning gave birth to a stillborn pup, so the team was both excited and nervous about what would happen this time. However, everything seems to be going well so far! “We are monitoring mom and baby closely but remaining hands off for the most part,” said Grove. “Lightning’s maternal instincts are kicking in. We’re seeing all the behaviors that we want to see!” During the past few weeks, the sloth care team has been putting a tiny stuffed sloth on Lightning and conditioning her to get comfortable with them removing it so she’s more relaxed when the time comes for them to handle the real baby. The sex of the infant is not yet known, and it may be some time before that is determined. It is difficult to identify the gender of a sloth and often requires DNA testing to know for sure! Baby names are being discussed, and the Zoo will announce the selection next week. The baby will start to sample solid foods at about ten days and will continue to nurse for about a month. After that, the youngster will cling to its mother’s belly and eat whatever she eats. It first hangs upside down on its own at 20 to 25 days. The baby’s dad, 23-year-old Moe, moved to the P&G Discovery Forest in the Zoo’s education center when 10-year-old Lightning entered a cranky phase of her pregnancy and made it clear that it was time to separate! He is a favorite among the campers and staff that work in the building. Linne’s two-toed sloths are not considered endangered but are becoming increasingly vulnerable due to human encroachment and activity. Funds generated through Cincinnati Zoo’s private sloth encounters are used to care for Moe and Lightning and to support conservation partner The Sloth Institute (TSI) and its efforts to protect sloths in the Costa Rican Rainforest.
Keywords: Cincinnati zoo,sloth,animals,linne's tow-toed sloth,nature,natural world,feature,photo,video
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