The Abilene Zoo has welcomed Vicki, a 12-year-old sloth bear visiting from the Smithsonian National Zoo.
“She’ll be calling Abilene Zoo home as a temporary resident until we break ground on our expansion next spring,” the zoo stated in a Facebook post. “She’s known to be sassy, smart and inquisitive. She’s got poufy hair with a part in the middle. Some of her favorite hobbies include playing with her enrichment toys and eating thousands of insects in one sitting.”
Native to the forests of India, Sri Lanka and Nepal, sloth bears are one of the most unique bear species, according to the zoo.
“Known for their shaggy fur, curved claws, and vacuum-like lips, sloth bears like Vicki are insect specialists, consuming up to 500,000 ants and termites a day, playing a key role in maintaining healthy ecosystems,” the post stated.
Vicki is one of only about 30 sloth bears in North America’s managed population with an estimated under 20,000 left in the wild.
These animals are part of critical conservation efforts through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan.
The zoo offered a fun fact on the post, noting Baloo from “The Jungle Book” is also a sloth bear.
“We’re honored to care for her during this special time and we can’t wait for you to meet her,” the post stated.
Visit Vicki during the zoo’s summer hours, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Abilene Zoo welcomes ‘sassy’ new resident
Reporting by Rosanna Fraire, San Angelo Standard-Times / Abilene Reporter-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
