2 weeks Ago By Ben J. Costas
The San Diego Zoo is harnessing the power of public engagement with a new social media campaign asking folks to help name its recent furry additions, two sloth bear cubs. Visitors at the zoo can now glimpse these cubs exploring their new world, often hitching a piggyback on their mother, Shala. Through its online poll, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance collects votes on names that reflect the animals' native South Asian roots.
Votes can be cast until April 1 for names including "Shehani" and "Kumar," which currently lead with 46% and 50%, respectively.According to a social media post from the San Diego Zoo, these sloth bear cubs are not just an addition to the zoo's charisma but also part of a bigger picture—conservation. This fuzzy duo's presence serves as an educational touchpoint for visitors to learn about sloth bears' challenges in the wild, such as habitat destruction, illegal hunting, and poaching.
As a vulnerable species with their rough coats and uniquely shaped chest marks, the goal is to elevate awareness and encourage conservation. View this post on Instagram A post shared by San Diego Zoo (@sandiegozoo)This initiative provides the adoration one expects from baby animals and has brought attention to the zoo's efforts in India with its conservation partners. The zoo's collaboration aims to gain deeper insight into the ecology of these bears, which are said to be more akin to anteaters than sloths despite their misleading name.
Hoodline's recent article emphasized, "Sloth bears are not related to sloths," correcting the often mistaken identity tied to the bear's long claws and distinctive dental configuration..
