Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Mourns Loss of Baby Sloth

The infant passed away after nearly 48 hours of intensive care by zoo staff.

Mar. 24, 2026 at 4:04am

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The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs is mourning the loss of a baby sloth that was born on March 6. Despite around-the-clock care by the zoo's staff, the infant passed away on Sunday morning. The zoo says the first months of a sloth's life are delicate, and the species has an infant mortality rate of around 40% before the age of one.

Why it matters

The death of the baby sloth is a tragic loss for the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, which is dedicated to the conservation and care of endangered species. Sloths are vulnerable animals, and the high infant mortality rate highlights the challenges zoos face in successfully breeding and raising these unique creatures.

The details

The zoo says the baby sloth's mother, Aysan, received an examination over the weekend and appears to be in good health. Her care team will continue to monitor her closely following the loss of her infant.

  • The baby sloth was born on March 6, 2026.
  • The infant passed away on Sunday, March 24, 2026.

The players

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

A zoo located in Colorado Springs, Colorado that is dedicated to the conservation and care of endangered species.

Aysan

The mother of the baby sloth that passed away.

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The takeaway

The loss of the baby sloth underscores the delicate nature of caring for vulnerable species like sloths, and the ongoing efforts of zoos like Cheyenne Mountain to protect and breed these unique animals.