Woodland Park Zoo’s sloth bear cubs named in time for Earth Day

SEATTLE — The names of Woodland Park Zoo’s sloth bear cub siblings have been decided in time for Earth Day on Friday.  

The name of the boy sloth cub is Madhu (muh-DOO), which means “sweet, honey,” and Lila (LEE-lah), which means “play, amusement,” according to a news release from the zoo. Both names are Hindi to represent India, one of several countries where sloth bears live.

Madhu was named through a community poll and Lila was named by special friends of the zoo.

The brother and sister were born on New Year’s Day. Since their birth, the cubs have been living in an off-view maternity den, but recently have been enjoying short trips into a public outdoor habitat.

“Mom Kushali is steadily gaining confidence in being outdoors with her cubs, so initially they may only be out for short periods,” said Kim Szawan, an animal care manager at Woodland Park Zoo. “As Kushali becomes more secure outdoors and the cubs gain more footing in navigating the outdoor habitat, visitors should be able to see the cubs increasingly more starting early next week. Meanwhile, the cubs are being cubs — adorable and mischievous!”   

The cubs will be in Banyan Wilds for short periods of time starting the week of April 25.

Sloth bears live in the forests and grasslands of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

©2022 Cox Media Group