Edinburgh Zoo is celebrating a historic birth: a male Linne's two-toed sloth, the first of its kind born in Scotland. The calf, named Atty, arrived Monday to first-time parents Feira and Nico, both six years old. The arrival marks a milestone for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) and the zoo’s conservation breeding program.
Keepers named the newborn Atty in honor of Sir David Attenborough on the eve of his 100th birthday. In 2017, Attenborough told BBC News that if forced to become an animal for a day, he would choose a sloth: "hanging about upside down, you've nothing to do, in fact sleeping most of the time."
Key Points
- ✅ First Linne's two-toed sloth born in Scotland
- ⚡ Named Atty after Sir David Attenborough
- 💡 Born to first-time parents Feira and Nico at Edinburgh Zoo
Atty will cling to his mother’s stomach for the next six months, a critical bonding and survival period. At two months, he will begin sampling leaves directly from her mouth, learning which are safe to eat. Zoo staff describe Atty as already showing strong personality traits, with early signs of curiosity and playfulness.
| Aspect | Linne's Two-Toed Sloth | Pygmy Hippopotamus |
|---|---|---|
| Native Region | Central and South America | West Africa |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened (IUCN) | Endangered (IUCN) |
| Typical Lifespan | 20–30 years in captivity | 30–50 years in captivity |
Jess Brown, head keeper at Edinburgh Zoo, called the birth "groundbreaking" for both the zoo and Scotland. "Seeing a sloth baby clinging to mum for the very first time has been so special for the whole team," she said. "We can't wait for visitors to meet little Atty. He’s already showing plenty of character and may be spotted peeking out from his mum’s fur."
💡 Pro Tip
Visitors hoping to see Atty should arrive after 2 p.m. when the sloth house opens, but check daily for updates—timings can shift with weather or animal behavior.
Feira and Nico are among the zoo’s most popular residents, known for their calm demeanor and striking appearance. Their new calf is expected to draw significant attention, reinforcing Edinburgh Zoo’s role in global conservation and public engagement with endangered species.
📋 By The Numbers
- 100 — Sir David Attenborough’s age on the day Atty was named
- 6 — Age in years of both Atty’s parents
- 14:00 — Earliest daily time visitors can enter the sloth house
The calf and his mother are currently resting in their enclosure, shielded from public view during this sensitive early period. The zoo plans to gradually introduce Atty to visitors over the coming weeks, prioritizing his wellbeing and natural development.
What’s Next
- ⏳ First public viewing: Expected within 2–3 weeks
- 🍃 Diet education: Atty to learn leaf selection from Feira
- 📅 Monitoring: Daily health checks by veterinary team
Edinburgh Zoo, operated by RZSS, continues to expand its conservation breeding efforts, with recent successes including the birth of a pygmy hippo. The sloth calf represents another step forward in raising awareness about tropical species survival and the challenges of climate change and habitat loss.
