Sloth bears make final appearance before construction begins at Woodland Park Zoo

SEATTLE — This weekend, the two sloth bears at the Woodland Park Zoo will make their final appearances before construction begins for the new Asian tropical forest exhibit, according to the zoo’s spokesperson.

Randy, the 16-year-old male sloth bear, and Tasha, a 7-year-old female, will remain off exhibit during the construction.

A zoo spokesperson said the new exhibit will be a two-acre complex that will feature Malayan tigers and Asian small-clawed otters in addition to the sloth bears.

Randy came to the zoo in June 1996, and Tasha moved to the zoo in Oct. 11 under a breeding recommendation by the Species Survival Plan for sloth bears.

The exhibit is expected to open in two phase.

Phase 1 is scheduled to open in 2013, and will feature small-clawed otters and a kids’ nature play area.

Phase 2 is anticipated to open in 2014, and will spotlight endangered Malayan tigers and the sloth bears.

KIRO