Sloths are highly specialized slow-moving mammals whose welfare in captivity is frequently compromised by misunderstanding of their unique physiological needs.
Sloth welfare in captivity presents exceptional challenges that are not yet fully met in any zoological institution for three-toed species. Their highly specialized leaf diet requires continuous supply of specific plant species that wild sloths browse selectively, and captive dietary substitution leads to chronic nutritional deficiencies. Three-toed sloths in particular show deteriorating health in captivity and have almost never survived long-term. The popularity of sloth selfie tourism at rescue centers in Central and South America represents a serious welfare concern since sloths show high stress responses to handling and excessive human contact despite their apparent calm demeanor. Their slow movement and apparent placidity is misread as contentment when it is actually normal metabolic function, and stress in sloths can be fatal through immune suppression and infection. Two-toed sloths can be maintained more successfully in accredited zoos with appropriate high-canopy enclosures.