Historic Birth at Edinburgh Zoo
Scotland's first baby sloth has been born at Edinburgh Zoo.
The male Linne's two-toed sloth arrived on Monday to first-time parents Feira and Nico, both aged six, marking a major milestone for the zoo.
Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) keepers named the baby Atty in honour of the veteran broadcaster and environmentalist Sir David Attenborough, who turned 100 at the weekend.
Early Life and Development
For the first six months of his life, Atty will grip tightly to mum Feira's stomach.
Baby sloths learn which leaves are safe to eat by sampling food directly from her mouth from about the age of two months.
Keeper Comments and Visitor Information
"The birth of Atty was groundbreaking, not just for Edinburgh Zoo, but for Scotland."
"Seeing a sloth baby clinging to mum for the very first time has been so special for the whole team and we can't wait for visitors to see little Atty," said head keeper Jess Brown.
"He is already showing plenty of personality and visitors might spot a tiny face peeking out from mum's fur.
"Nico and Feira are both beautiful animals and a fan-favourite with our visitors so we're confident he'll be a big hit."
Mum and baby are currently resting in their enclosure at the zoo.
Visitors will be able to enter the sloth house from 14:00 on Wednesday.
A spokesperson for the zoo said opening times of the sloth house would vary over the coming weeks.
Visitors are recommended to check opening hours on arrival at the zoo.
