New Photos and Video of Baby Sloth!

ICYMI….Senior Zookeeper Jill did a wonderful interview on MPR. Listen here: Baby sloth born at Como Zoo in St. Paul | MPR News

Something incredible happened yesterday (April 2) at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory—our Hoffman’s two-toed sloth, Sago, gave birth on exhibit! And the best part? Guests were there to witness the special moment firsthand.

Sago, a six-year-old sloth who arrived at Como in April 2023, and Ziggy, a three-year-old sloth who joined us in May 2023, became first-time parents as part of an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) breeding recommendation. The birth was a surprise to both staff and visitors, making it an unforgettable experience.

Mom & Baby Are Bonding

Senior Zookeeper Jill Erzar shared the excitement:

“We couldn’t have planned a more exciting experience for our guests yesterday! It’s not every day you get to see a sloth being born right in front of you. It was a truly special moment, and Sago is already proving to be a fantastic first-time mom.”

Newborn sloths instinctively cling to their mother’s fur after birth, making their way to the safety of her chest. There, Sago immediately began cleaning her baby, and the little one will stay attached to her for about six months while nursing small amounts of milk throughout the day. Female sloths typically spend up to a year raising their young.

Boy or Girl? We’ll Have to Wait!

Right now, we don’t yet know if the baby is male or female—and we won’t for some time.

“Right now, we’re just enjoying watching the baby bond with Sago,” Erzar said. “It will be a while before we know if we have a little boy or girl, but for now, we’re focused on making sure both mom and baby are thriving.”

Where Can You See Them?

Sago and Ziggy share an exhibit with Como’s saki monkeys in the Primate Building, where guests can watch the new family interact. Como is also home to another Hoffman’s two-toed sloth, Chloe, who resides in the Tropical Encounters exhibit.

We invite you to visit Como Park Zoo & Conservatory to see Sago and her baby in their habitat! Como remains free to the public, with voluntary donations helping support our animal and plant care and conservation efforts.