CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo announced Wednesday the birth of a sloth bear for the first time in 30 years.
The cub was born on Jan. 14, and is the first offspring for both 4-year-old mom, Shiva and 13-year-old dad Balawat. The cub currently weighs approximately six pounds and is learning how to walk.
We could *bearly* wait to share the news! The Zoo welcomes spring’s arrival — the birth of a #slothbear cub! The cub is the first sloth bear born at the Zoo in 30 years. Stay tuned for continued updates on the sloth bear family! https://t.co/Omn8Slsabn 🐻 #firstdayofspring pic.twitter.com/fe2sKNgoOl
— Cleveland Zoo (@clemetzoo) March 20, 2019
The cub's gender has not yet been determined, but zoo officials say they will continue to provide updates on the sloth bear family and details of when the public can meet the happy family.
When fully grown, sloth bears can usually weigh up to 300 pounds. The species has several distinctive features and behaviors with their flexible snouts that act like a vacuum cleaner to suck up terminates or grubs from trees.
Aside from critters, sloth bears have a sweet tooth for fruits, flowers, sugar cane and honey.
The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is partnering with a project in Nepal to support sloth bears where populations have declined dramatically in recent decades because of habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict and poaching.
With the arrival of spring, several zoo attractions will open, including the Australian Boomerang Line Train, 4-D Theater and the Circle of Wildlife Carousel. The three attractions will be open seven days a week beginning Friday, March 29.
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