Atty, the first sloth ever born in Scotland, has reached another important milestone. The young Linne’s two-toed sloth at Edinburgh Zoo ventured away from his mother, Feira, for the first time, climbing along a rope to collect a leafy snack before returning safely to her side.
The brief adventure was captured on camera by keepers from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), who described the behaviour as an encouraging sign of the youngster’s growing confidence and independence.
Born in May 2026, Atty belongs to the species Choloepus didactylus and is the first sloth ever born in Scotland. His name also tells a special story: he was named Atty in honour of Sir David Attenborough, the world-renowned British naturalist and broadcaster who has spent decades bringing the planet’s biodiversity to audiences around the globe.
Atty’s birth came as a surprise to the zoo’s animal care team, and his first excursion away from his mother was equally unexpected. Keepers were able to quickly record the memorable moment on their phones as the young sloth slowly made his way towards the food before climbing back to Feira.
According to the zoo, these first independent movements represent an important stage in Atty’s development, demonstrating that the young sloth is gaining strength, coordination and confidence within his environment.
Atty lives in Edinburgh Zoo’s Sloth House with his mother, Feira, and father, Nico. The purpose-built habitat has been designed to recreate the warm and humid conditions of the tropical forests where the species naturally occurs.
His first solo climb offers visitors another opportunity to follow the growth of Scotland’s first-ever sloth, whose name pays tribute to one of the world’s most beloved wildlife communicators.
