Animal lovers visiting Washington, DC, this spring will be able to see a couple of rare new additions at the National Zoo. Two sloth bear cubs were born in December and reside at the zoo. Their birth is being hailed as a “milestone” in the preservation of the at-risk species. “These cubs strengthen the genetic diversity and (numbers) while also supporting global conservation efforts for this vulnerable species through research, education and public engagement,” said Michael Brown-Palsgrove, curator of the zoo’s Asia Trail, in a statement. Sloth bears are threatened by human impacts, habitat loss, and poaching. There are fewer than 20,000 living in the wild in southern Asia. There are only 42 in zoos across the US. They're not related to sloths. But they were given the name because of shared features. Both species have long claws, missing front teeth, and use their long snouts to hunt for food. Sloth bears are also major ant-eaters. They consume as many as a half-million insects a day. Sloth bears grow as long as six feet. But infant cubs look more like tiny pinkish rodents. The National Zoo’s cubs are currently in seclusion. They're housed in a dimly lit den at a distance even from wildlife biologists. That’s so their mother, Molly, can care for and bond with them. The trio are watched by cameras to ensure mom has enough food and fresh hay for nesting. Biologists currently can’t get close enough to observe the cubs’ sexes. Their likely fathers are Niko, 11, and Deemak, 7. Which one is the dad won’t be known until staff can get close enough to conduct DNA testing. If the National Zoo follows past tradition after the birth of animals there, a naming contest for the cubs is coming. How about Bearry, Bearnadette, and Bearnaby? Thought Question: If you could help take care of a rare animal or choose its name, what animal would you choose and what would you name it? Photo of sloth bear and cubs courtesy samadkottur on Wikimedia Commons.
