Como Park Zoo and Conservatory’s baby Hoffman’s two-toed sloth has a name: Cusi, a Quechua word meaning “joy.”
The name was selected in a vote of zoo and conservatory staff, volunteers and Como Friends employees. Cusi received nearly 70% of the vote, ahead of Tucuma, Areca and Cohune.
Cusi was born May 6 to Sago and Ziggy through an Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan breeding recommendation. The program is designed to maintain healthy and genetically diverse animal populations at accredited zoos.
Zoo staff said Cusi and Sago are doing well. The baby spends most of the day clinging to its mother’s chest but has started exploring the nesting area and sampling solid foods, including cherry tomatoes and green beans.
Keepers are taking a hands-off approach, visually monitoring the pair and bringing food to Sago rather than separating mother and baby for routine handling. Staff members said the approach reduces stress and allows Sago to continue caring for the youngster naturally.
The baby’s sex is not yet known. Young Hoffman’s two-toed sloths have few obvious external differences, so determining whether Cusi is male or female may take time.
Cusi can be seen with Sago in Como Zoo’s Primate Building, where the sloths share habitat space with saki monkeys.
Hoffman’s two-toed sloths are native to tropical forests in Central and South America and spend most of their lives in trees. Como Zoo and the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory are open daily, and admission is free, with voluntary donations accepted.
More information is available at comozooconservatory.org.
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