New Retirement Home Opens For Older Sloths

If you think retirement homes are just for humans, think again.

Just like us, animals need somewhere to enjoy their golden years in comfort and style. You may already have heard of retirement homes for dogs and cats…well, we’ve created a retirement home for sloths.

Instead of taking on young breeding pairs, we have made the decision to home older sloths which have ‘retired’ from other zoos, giving them a comfortable home tailored to their needs as they relax into their twilight years.

We homed our first older two-toed sloth, Tuppee, in March 2016. Like us humans, sloths need a little company from time-to-time and, now 24, Tuppee has just been joined by Lightcap from Bristol Zoo who, 10 years Tuppee’s senior at 36, is currently the 5th oldest sloth in any European zoo.

Reaching an average weight of 8kg, two-toed sloths have a lifespan of around 20 years in the wild but have been known to live up to 50 years captivity. These peaceful, gentle animals are slow-moving even in their prime, so it’s no wonder their elders need a bit of extra care and attention.

Tim Morphew, our zoo curator, said:

“Initially we didn’t make a conscious decision to home older sloths. Conservation is key for us at Folly Farm and our breeding programmes are a huge part of that, but our older animals are just as important to us and we need to make sure they’re looked after in their old age. By taking on these older animals and giving them a comfortable retirement, we’re helping conservation efforts at other zoos by freeing up enclosures for younger, breeding pairs.

“Aching muscles, creaking joints and slowing down a bit are all things that happen to us as we get older, and most animals are no different. With the older sloths, we might boil their root vegetables to make them softer and easier to eat and, if they’re showing signs of old age, add supplements like cod liver oil into their diet. Depending on how they get on, we might also look at adapting the enclosure to make the floor deeper and reduce the height of branches, so they don’t have as far to climb down.

“Like many older men, Tuppee has been known to be a bit grumpy and even misbehaves at times but we know he’s a softie at heart. We’re hoping some older, female company will be a good influence on him and bring out the softer side of his nature. Sloths aren’t known for being social animals, but as they get older we’ve found they do like company. So, we’re all looking forward to getting to know Lightcap and seeing how the pair get on.”

Tim continued;

“Sloths are our number one animal for adoptions, so with Lightcap joining us just before Christmas we’re sure our sloth adoptions will prove a popular – and unusual – Christmas present this year. And, who knows, soon we may even be in a position to expand the retirement home further.”

You can now meet and feed the sloths on our sloth feeding experience here in Wales!