Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown welcomes a new baby sloth.

Visitors to Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown will now have the unique opportunity to meet Beanie the two-toed sloth and her newborn baby, which was born on August 26. The zoo announced that from Wednesday onward, guests can observe the mother-sloth and her offspring, whose gender remains unidentified until a thorough examination can be conducted at around one year of age. This is due to the nurturing behavior of infant sloths, as they closely cling to their mothers.

Zoo veterinarians have, however, managed to assess the health of the newborn by temporarily attaching it to a stuffed pink plush surrogate mother, allowing them to monitor its weight and development. Michele Goodman, the director of animal care at Elmwood Park Zoo, noted the impressive mothering skills of Beanie, who is only four years old. She originally arrived at Elmwood Park in March, during the midpoint of her pregnancy, as part of a species survival plan initiated at the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, Rhode Island. The initial observations indicate that the baby is thriving, eating well, and reaching essential growth milestones.

Two-toed sloths, native to the rainforests of Central and South America, display intriguing characteristics. They typically weigh between 9 and 17 pounds when fully grown, and exhibit nocturnal behavior, often sleeping for around 15 hours each day in an upside-down position. Their remarkably slow metabolism means that food may remain undigested in their bodies for an entire month. While these animals currently have a stable population in the wild, they frequently face threats from hunting and habitat destruction due to logging activities.

The Elmwood Park Zoo is dedicated to wildlife conservation and offers educational opportunities for visitors of all ages. Located at 1661 Harding Blvd. in Norristown, the zoo operates from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Beanie and her baby can be found within the zoo’s Harmony Hideaway, where guests are encouraged to observe their adorable interactions and learn more about this unique species. As the public anticipates the unveiling of the baby sloth’s name in the coming months, Beanie’s nurturing journey continues to attract animal lovers and families eager to witness the magic of nature up close.

For more information about visiting Elmwood Park Zoo and its conservation initiatives, refer to the official website.