SEATTLE — A 26-year-old female Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth named Jessie has arrived at Woodland Park Zoo as part of a national breeding program. She joins Fezzik, an 11-year-old male sloth who arrived at the facility last year.
The sloths were paired under a breeding recommendation through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan. Both sloths will reside together in the zoo’s Tropical Rain Forest exhibit.
Jessie was born Sept. 10, 1999, at the Philadelphia Zoo and has previously given birth to three offspring. Fezzik arrived at Woodland Park Zoo last year.
Zoo staff members are gradually introducing Jessie and Fezzik to one another in their shared enclosure. Because of the gradual introduction process, only one sloth may be visible to guests in the short term. The pair shares the Tropical Rain Forest exhibit with the zoo’s golden lion tamarins.
“We’re thrilled to have a second sloth, Jessie, join Fezzik here at Woodland Park Zoo,” said animal care manager Arden Robert. “Jessie and Fezzik offer visitors a unique chance to observe the calm, fascinating behaviors that make sloths so beloved.”
Hoffmann’s two-toed sloths (Choloepus hoffmanni) are nocturnal mammals native to Central and South America. Named for the two long, curved claws on each front foot, the zoo says the species is recognized for gentle dispositions, slow movements, and an upside-down lifestyle in the forest canopy, where they rest, climb, and feed on leaves, fruit, and flowers.
Woodland Park Zoo is currently operating under summer hours from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Daily hours will change to 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning Sept. 8. You can find more information at zoo.org.