> At a Glance
> – Two sloth bear cubs were born at Smithsonian’s National Zoo on December 7
> – Mother Molly arrived from Kansas in April; father unknown until DNA results
> – First sloth bear births at the zoo since 2013
> – Why it matters: These vulnerable-species cubs boost genetic diversity of only 42 AZA-managed bears
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo ended an 11-year wait on December 7 when 6-year-old Molly delivered two squirming sloth bear cubs in a quiet off-exhibit den.
Birth & Early Days
The cubs arrived about two hours apart, at 2:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., inside the Asia Trail complex. Keepers watching a live camera feed say Molly is nursing constantly and already building nests from fresh hay.
- Cubs’ sex still undetermined
- No names chosen yet
- Mom and babies remain indoors until spring
Who’s the Father?
After Molly moved from Sunset Zoo in Kansas last April, she met two potential sires: Niko, 11, and Deemak, 7. Both males bred with her in July, so the zoo’s genomics lab is now running DNA tests to decide whether one-or each-fathered a cub.
| AZA Sloth Bear Population | Count |
|---|---|
| Total in AZA zoos | 42 |
| Births in 2024 | 2 |
Conservation Impact
Asia Trail curator Michael Brown-Palsgrove called the births “a significant achievement for the Species Survival Plan,” noting the cubs immediately strengthen the managed population of this IUCN-listed vulnerable species.
Key Takeaways
- First sloth bear births at the zoo since 2013
- DNA will confirm if Niko, Deemak, or both fathered the cubs
- Cubs will debut outdoors this spring
Molly’s twins offer new hope for a rare species that now numbers just 42 individuals across all Association of Zoos and Aquariums facilities.
