Duffy the Sloth (c.1999-2025)

Duffy, a 26-year-old two-toed sloth, died from complications from cancer at the Henson Robinson Zoo in Illinois in March 2025. She had been held at the zoo since 2001. Upon Duffy’s death, the zoo acquired a new sloth to replace her.

Sloths are massively exploited by the zoo and wildlife tourism industries. Due to their generally gentle demeanor and facial markings that give the impression they’re smiling, sloths have become popular fixtures in “encounters” where people pay to hold or interact with them. But interactions are very stressful and extremely frightening for sloths. Research has found that when sloths are handled, they are more vigilant, sleep less, and behave abnormally.

These encounters also endanger sloths’ safety. Sloths are arboreal, and their bodies are designed to be supported by branches. People generally hold them incorrectly in interactions, putting them in physical danger. Sloths are typically docile, but people are also at risk. Children and adults have been bitten by sloths who were forced into interactions.

Though no wild animal enjoys captivity, sloths are particularly poorly suited to being exhibited. They’re shy and nocturnal, sleeping between 15 and 18 hours a day. A sloth’s blood pressure can even rise simply from being near people. At noisy zoos, their natural routine is continually disrupted.

World Animal Protection urges everyone who loves sloths to avoid zoos and enjoy them in the wild or sanctuaries.