Rolo the baby sloth

Rolo, a new baby sloth at Zoo Atlanta, was born on August 9, 2024, to mother Nutella and father Cocoa. Rolo's name was chosen from nearly 2,000 submissions from the public, fitting with his parents' sweets-themed names. He is the first male sloth born at Zoo Atlanta, marking a significant event for the zoo. As a Hoffmann's two-toed sloth, a species native to Central and South America, Rolo was born fully furred, with his eyes open, teeth present, and fully developed claws for clinging to his mother. This species faces threats in the wild, including habitat loss due to illegal logging and electrocution from power lines, which is why conservation efforts like the Sloth Conservation Project in Costa Rica are supported by Zoo Atlanta. Rolo can be seen with or near Nutella at the Zoo’s Brazilian Outpost in the Orkin Children’s Zoo, where visitors can observe him. His birth and naming help in raising awareness about sloths and their ecological role, as well as the conservation efforts needed for their survival.