A groundbreaking dental surgery has been performed on a sloth at Chester Zoo, marking the first time such an operation has been carried out on a sloth, in a pioneering effort to treat a rare and unique toothache condition.
A groundbreaking dental surgery has been performed on Rico, a two-toed sloth at Chester Zoo, marking the first time such an operation has been carried out on a sloth. The procedure was led by a team from Newcastle University and involved removing infected tissue surrounding two of Rico’s teeth.
The decision to perform the surgery came after keepers noticed swellings on the sides of Rico’s face, which were later diagnosed as two root abscesses. This unique condition presented several challenges for the dental experts, who had to adapt their approach to accommodate the sloth’s anatomy. The infected tissue was removed through the bottom of one of Rico’s teeth, a departure from traditional root canal procedures.
The surgery was conducted by dentist Fiona Beddis and her team, who praised the successful outcome as ‘a great privilege‘ to treat such a rare and beautiful animal. Resident zoo vet Charlotte Bentley noted that sloths have highly specialized and sharp molars, making dentistry particularly challenging for this species.
Sloths are arboreal mammals native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America.
They have a unique, slow metabolism that allows them to conserve energy in their diet-poor environment.
Sloths spend up to 20 hours per day sleeping or resting, and their low body temperature helps reduce energy expenditure.
There are six species of sloths, with the Linne's two-toed sloth being the most common.
Sloths have a specialized digestive system that allows them to digest leaves, which make up 90% of their diet.
Despite the complexity of the procedure, the results have been promising, with the abscesses not returning since the surgery. Rico‘s latest X-ray shows that his filling is still in place, indicating effective treatment. The sloth has been regularly monitored since the operation and is expected to make slow progress due to its unique lifestyle.
The pioneering surgery demonstrates the zoo’s commitment to providing the best possible care for its animals. Chester Zoo is part of a conservation breeding programme working to safeguard the two-toed sloth species across Europe, which faces threats including habitat loss, logging, and hunting for the illegal wildlife trade.
Located in Cheshire, England, Chester Zoo is one of the UK's largest zoos.
With over 500 acres of land, it houses more than 21,000 animals from around 400 different species.
Founded in 1931, the zoo has undergone significant transformations to provide naturalistic habitats for its inhabitants.
Chester Zoo is also a leading conservation organization, participating in breeding programs and reintroducing endangered species into the wild.
