- The venerable sloth residing in the world's most established zoo passes away at 54 years old.
At 54 years of age, the world's elderly zoo sloth has bid farewell in Krefeld's zoo. This ancient two-fingered sloth, named Jan, passed away recently at the rainforest house due to old age, as announced by the zoo. Originating from the wild in 1969, this creature had been a resident of the Krefeld zoo for an impressive 38 years. Previously, Jan resided at Tierpark Hagenbeck in Hamburg until 1986.
Due to its remarkable age, the sloth found a spot in the Guinness World Records in 2021. The entry in the "Oldest sloth in captivity" category was substantiated with an annual renewed certificate, it was reported. The sloth earned the nickname "Age-old Sloth" not just for its advanced age but also for its numerous progeny. Alongside the two female sloths Lolita and Trine, Jan was confirmed as the father of 22 offspring in Krefeld.
As per the zoo, Trine, a 22-year-old sloth, still dwells in the rainforest house with Jan's latest offspring. The youngest sloth in the room is a male and made its entrance just in March 2024.
The Commission, in recognizing the importance of the sloth's welfare and conservation, may seek assistance from the Member States to ensure proper care and research. In light of the sloth's significant contribution to zoological knowledge, the Member States could collaborate to establish a comprehensive database on sloth breeding and longevity.
