GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT: BELOVED SLOTHS MAKE TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO PAIGNTON ZOO

They may have taken their sweet time, but Paignton Zoo’s star sloths have finally made their grand return to the Tropical Trails exhibit, after essential repairs and careful monitoring by their dedicated care team. 

Following storm damage that forced the zoo to close the tropical house while vital roof repairs took place, the zoo’s Linne’s two-toed sloths, Mo and Ria, were temporarily relocated to a specially heated home behind-the-scenes. Their return was scheduled once the repairs were completed and the exhibit was ready. 

But the popular pair have now officially made their comeback – much to the delight of visitors who’ve been eagerly awaiting their grand return. The zoo revealed they’d been bombarded with questions about the missing duo, but ensured their enclosure was fully prepared before reintroducing them. 

Gemma Keohane, Senior Mammal Keeper, explained:  

“We’re thrilled to reunite both Ria and Mo with their adoring fans. We’ve had daily enquiries about when they would be returning. Their welfare is our top priority. As tropical animals, sloths need specific environmental conditions to stay healthy and comfortable. Good things come to those who wait, and no one knows this better than a sloth!” 

The gradual reintroduction was carefully managed to make sure the sleepy sloths weren’t stressed by the change. Their revamped home in the immersive Tropical Trails exhibit, which also houses an impressive collection of reptiles and amphibians, provides the perfect environment by maintaining the warm, humid conditions they require to thrive. Fittingly, it means that visitors can also observe these slow-moving superstars in comfort, regardless of the unpredictable British weather. 

Visitors are advised to look up – quite literally – to catch a glimpse of the pair, who spend most of their lives hanging upside-down from branches. While the sloths can be spotted during normal opening hours, visitors might have the best chance of seeing them at their most “active” later in the day – though that’s not saying much for these famously leisurely creatures! 

This successful reintroduction joins other recently completed improvement projects at the Devon zoo, including enhancements to the Giraffe House, Crocodile Swamp and Arid Lands exhibits as the attraction adapts to increasingly wild weather.  

Please note: Sloth experiences will remain on hiatus for slightly longer – we are not yet able to confirm when these will resume. If you have booked a sloth experience, please bear with us for a little longer – you will be contacted as soon as possible.