COUNTY NEWS: Rare baby sloth is thriving at Sussex zoo

Flash, the hand-reared baby sloth, has been thriving under the care of keepers at a Sussex zoo.
Rare baby sloth at Drusillas ParkRare baby sloth at Drusillas Park
Rare baby sloth at Drusillas Park

The youngster has doubled in weight and she is even enjoying the summer sunshine at Drusillas Park, with regular strolls around the zoo.

The individuals responsible for Flash’s excellent progress are head keeper Mark Kenward, deputy head keeper Jason O’Connell and zoo keeper Gemma Romanis.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Together, the trio (or Team Flash as they have become known) have been working around the clock to care for the orphaned infant, after her mother passed away shortly after she was born.

Rare baby sloth at Drusillas Park SUS-160730-112622001Rare baby sloth at Drusillas Park SUS-160730-112622001
Rare baby sloth at Drusillas Park SUS-160730-112622001

Jason said: “We would never choose to hand-rear an animal but sadly in this case there really was no choice. Nevertheless, despite her difficult start we are absolutely delighted with Flash’s progress. She is the picture of health and is putting on weight, increasing from 585g to 1184g in just three months.

“Flash has a state-of-the-art incubator that provides her with the comfort and warmth she would have received from her mother. However, whenever possible we carry her with us and have even started taking her for a walk around the zoo on sunny days, for fresh air and a change of scenery.”

The baby, named Flash by followers on Facebook, was born on Saturday, March 26 and is the first of its kind to arrive at the park in the zoo’s 91 year history. She requires feeding every three hours, even during the night, which is likely to continue for at least eight months.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Jason said: “She consumers up to 30mls of goat’s milk per feed from a sterilised bottle and she also enjoys vegetables and foliage too, particularly swede and sweetcorn. These take place throughout the night at midnight, 3am and 6am.

Rare baby sloth at Drusillas Park SUS-160730-112554001Rare baby sloth at Drusillas Park SUS-160730-112554001
Rare baby sloth at Drusillas Park SUS-160730-112554001

“During the evening she is particularly playful; she moves around a lot and likes climbing on the frame we have created for her. It can be hard work but it is a real privilege to care for her. She has become part of the family.”

Visit www.drusillas.co.uk for more information.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

Related topics: