Cute Dudley sloth gets new home at zoo
A cuddly creature has moved to a sung new home at Dudley Zoo.
Reggie the sloth’s home was officially opened to the public on Friday.
Construction on a brand new £50,000 enclosure for the South American animal began earlier this year.
Contractors revamped the Castle Hill site’s former tortoise enclosure into a purpose built pad for the zoo’s three-year-old Linne’s two-toed sloth, Reggie, which has opened just in time for half term.
Dudley Zo director, Derek Grove, aid: “The repurposed enclosure has been specifically designed by the zoo’s curating team for Reggie, with lots of climbing ropes, platforms and outdoor foliage as well as plenty of opportunities for visitors to spot one of our most popular animals thanks to lots of glass viewing areas indoors and out, which also allows for natural light.
“The move into his new home went really smoothly and Reggie began investigating his new surroundings immediately.
"He will remain in the indoor enclosure for the next few weeks to allow him time to settle in, which will also allow us to put the finishing touches to the outdoor enclosure, before reintroducing some of our smaller primate species to form a new mixed exhibit.”
Reggie has been joined in his home by Coppery titi monkeys, Tilda and Frank and Goeldi monkeys, Francisco and Santiago to form a new mixed exhibit.
The sloth proved a popular addition to the zoo’s collection since arriving in July and the site’s gardeners have had to purchase a variety of hibiscus plants to keep him in his favourite tasty treats as keepers have discovered he loved the freshly picked flowers.
Pat Stevens, Upper Primates Section Leader, said: “We’ve discovered hibiscus flowers are Reggie’s favourite food and despite having a typically slow nature, he soon appears when we have one and will gobble them up whole in seconds.”
