Meet the very cute Jemma - the two-toed sloth on her way to Marwell Zoo from Jersey
Marwell Zoo is preparing to welcome a new arrival – a Linne’s two-toed sloth making her way from Jersey to Hampshire as part of a breeding programme.
Keepers will pair Jemma, born at Jersey Zoo in January 2025, with Marwell’s resident male sloth Santos in the hope that the two will eventually breed.
Native to tropical rainforests in South America, Linne’s two-toed sloths face increasing threats in the wild due to habitat loss caused by urban development and human activity. Breeding programmes in zoos play an important role in maintaining healthy populations and safeguarding the species for the future.
Jemma’s trip overseas has been planned in collaboration with the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) Ex-Situ Breeding Programme (EEP), with the pairing recommended by the programme’s co-ordinator.
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In true sloth fashion, Jemma’s arrival and introduction to her new habitat will be a slow and steady process. Keepers will first introduce the pair in a private area of their habitat to give them time to settle and become comfortable with each other. During this period, Jemma and Santos will not be visible to visitors before gradually exploring the Tropical House together.
Marwell’s Primates and Small Mammals Team Leader Amy Denny said: “Welcoming Jemma to Marwell is a really important step towards future breeding efforts, and we’re really excited for her to arrive.
“As sloth are naturally solitary, our Tropical House provides the perfect environment in terms of size and complexity for the pair to choose to live independently or come together to breed when ready in a few years’ time.
“Sloth are the number one victim of the ‘wildlife selfie trade’ therefore responsible tourism is a vital part of their conservation. We are proud to provide a habitat for our sloth that gives them choice and control over their environment and proximity to guests, making it all the more special when you catch a glimpse of them close up.
“We hope visitors will be able to spot Jemma in the not too distant future, although she’ll have the freedom to explore and choose her favourite spots in the habitat. We recommend keeping an eye on our social media channels, where we’ll share updates and announce when she’s got full access to her habitat.”
Marwell’s vital conservation projects in the UK and around the globe are supported by income from visitors and members. To find out more about becoming a Marwell member, book tickets and discover the latest animal news, visit www.marwell.org.uk