A second sloth bear called Rajath has arrived in the capital to take up residence at Edinburgh Zoo.
The bear joins another animal, two year old Cipisek which was brought to Edinburgh in the summer.
It will be a few days before Rajath is introduced to his companion, but visitors to the zoo can see the bear in his new habitat in the next few days.
Both animals are male and are in the care of Alison MacLean, the carnivore team leader at Edinburgh Zoo, who said in July that there is a large outdoor space for the bears to enjoy. She said then she was waiting for the arrival of a second bear from Europe.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland say that a sloth bear’s forest and grassland homes are vanishing, and many fall victim to poachers. By welcoming this species, the wildlife conservation charity hopes its visitors can learn more about the animals and how to help protect them in the wild.
Sloth bears exist in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the southern lowlands of Nepal and perhaps also in Bhutan.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species shows that there are fewer than 10,000 animals left in existence and confirms that the species is vulnerable in the wild.
Visitors can book zoo tickets online in advance and save at edinburghzoo.org.uk/tickets
