West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP) – Two-toed sloth, Golden Lion Tamarin and Hoffman, have become unlikely roommates in their new habitat Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society In Florida.
Both species are endemic to South American forests, so the new habitat has a thick tree canopy. Golden tamarins love to play around on the treetop, along with their distinctive orange mane.
“Maybe Golden Tamarins think of sloths as more furniture because sloths don’t do much. They tend to sit more,” said Devin Clark, senior zoo supervisor. “They like to sleep during the day and are a little more active at night. So, they just look at something that isn’t too scary to them, like the couches that roam around at night.”
The habitat, which opened in late August, provides a unique space for sloths and tamarins to interact with each other. The space has a network of grapes, ropes and tunnels that encourage exploration, a zoo official said.
“Being able to see personally close is a way to really inspire connections,” Clark said. “And as people actually start to have that connection and have that connection with wild animals, they can look at their lives and say, “What can I do differently to make the wild counterparts of these animals in Brazil and Central America flourish?” ”
He said there were less than 200 golden tamarinds in the wild in the 1970s. Approximately 40 zoos, accredited through the association of zoos and aquariums, have compiled plans to re-release the species into the wild. Their numbers exceeded 5,000 as of last year, he said.
Previous tamarin habitat at the zoo was a bit smaller, Clark said.
“We wanted to give them better happiness, so we strengthened their lives with their wealth, space, so they can act a little more natural,” he added.
As conservation is part of the Palm Beach Zoo’s identity, Indigenous Florida plants are part of their new habitat.
“Planting native Florida plants in its habitat is a great way to highlight what we can do in our own home,” Clark said. “Even if you have an apartment, simply bring out potted plants, a native Florida plant, will help revitalize the ecosystem here in South Florida.”
Margo McKnight, the zoo’s president and CEO, says the new habitat will provide visitors with an opportunity to see the two species in greater detail.
“We want to cultivate a love of wildlife in wild places, including our own backyards. We hope that everyone has been inspired to be wildlife heroes in their own community,” she said.
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Furisaro reported from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
