The Wildlife Docs Season 5 Episode 3 All in the Sloth Family
- October 21, 2017
In The Wildlife Docs season 5 episode 3 titled "All in the Sloth Family," viewers get an intimate look at these fascinating animals and their unique family structure. The episode follows the staff at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay as they care for several different species of sloths, including two-toed sloths, three-toed sloths, and even baby sloths.
The first part of the episode focuses on an adult female two-toed sloth named Carmen. Carmen is a relatively new addition to Busch Gardens, and the staff are still getting to know her and her personality. The Wildlife Docs take viewers through the process of training Carmen to present her arm for vaccinations and blood draws, which is no easy feat given the sloth's slow and deliberate movements.
Next, the episode turns to a group of three-toed sloths that live together in one of the park's habitats. These sloths have a unique family dynamic, with one adult female and two juvenile females all living together. The Wildlife Docs team explains that this is an unusual arrangement for sloths, as they are typically solitary animals. However, these three sloths seem to be getting along well and even cuddle together for warmth at night.
The episode then introduces viewers to a pair of baby sloths that are being hand-raised by the Busch Gardens staff. The two babies, named Cocoa and Mocha, were rescued from Panama and brought to the park to receive care. The Wildlife Docs follow along as the staff bottle-feed the babies, monitor their health, and introduce them to solid foods like leaves and fruit.
Throughout the episode, The Wildlife Docs team emphasizes the importance of conservation efforts for sloths. Sloths face many threats in the wild, including habitat loss and fragmentation, and their populations are declining in many areas. The team at Busch Gardens works to raise awareness about these issues and support conservation efforts to protect sloths and other wildlife.
Overall, The Wildlife Docs season 5 episode 3 is an engaging and educational look at these fascinating animals and the conservation efforts being made to protect them. From training adult sloths to care for their health to hand-raising baby sloths, viewers will get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the daily lives of these creatures and the dedicated staff working to care for them.