PORTLAND, Ore. — The newest resident of the Oregon Zoo — Berry, a Linne's two-toed sloth — is living the dream: napping all day.
“Berry made herself right at home in the branches of a tree,” reported Marcus Jason, who oversees the zoo’s rainforest area. “Sloths spend most of their lives hanging upside down in trees, so it’s a perfect place for her.”
Oregon Zoo visitors can find her in the rainforest area, located across from the crocodile habitat. However, you might not spot her right away, so Jason recommends being patient and watching closely for her movements.
“Sloths can nap up to 20 hours a day, and when they do move, it’s pretty slowly,” Jason said. “Berry likes to be up high in the trees, so be sure to look up when you visit.”
Berry made her debut last week, according to the zoo. The 6-year-old sloth was born at New Jersey’s Turtle Back Zoo in 2017, and staff report that she's settling in quickly.
Berry's move was recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan for Linne’s two-toed sloths, which connects with accredited zoos to help at-risk species.
Though Linne's two-toed sloths are listed as a species of "least concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the mammals are in decline, facing the loss of their habitats through deforestation, along with contending with hunting and illegal wildlife trade.
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