SLOTH bears will call Edinburgh home for the first time ever as the city's zoo works to build a new habitat for new arrivals.
A fundraising campaign, launched by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), is asking for donations to help create a specially designed habitat for the bears. The wildlife conservation charity plans to welcome the species, which is at risk of extinction due to poaching and habitat loss.
The old giant panda habitat will be rebuilt to create a specialist area for the sloth bears, who have different needs.
The work is hoped to be completed by summer 2025 with the bears arriving shortly after.
RZSS CEO David Field said: “The sloth bear’s forest and grassland homes are vanishing and many fall victim to poachers. By welcoming this species, visitors will be able to learn more about these amazing animals and what we can all do to help protect them in the wild.
“Within the new area here at the zoo, there will be plenty of outdoor space for them to roam, a play den providing visitors with amazing views and areas where children of all ages can imagine what it’s like to be a bear.
“Visitors will be able to get up close to this amazing species, who are known for being particularly noisy. Their snuffling and snorting sounds can be heard from 100 metres away!”
The new sloth bear habitat will transform the previous home of the giant pandas into a perfectly designed home for the species. Donations to support the charity’s project can be made here.
For donations of £100 or more, the supporters name will be added to the new enclosure as a thank you from the zoo.
Sloth bears are native to India, Sri Lanka and Nepal where their numbers are falling.
