Introducing the Star of The Greensboro Biodome: Indie the Linnaeus’s Two-Toed Sloth

Greensboro, N.C – – The Greensboro Science Center (GSC) is excited to unveil additional details regarding its groundbreaking expansion project, Expedition Rainforest – The Greensboro Biodome; a signature project designed to immerse visitors into the captivating and challenging world of rainforest conservation. This remarkable addition will redefine the GSC, offering a one-of-a-kind experience for all ages.

Glenn Dobrogosz, the GSC’s CEO, says, “Expedition Rainforest – The Greensboro Biodome will be the GSC’s most ambitious project to-date. While our team is incredibly experienced in animal care, the Biodome project will require a level of tropical plant care and management never before attempted in Greensboro, and maybe North Carolina. A state-of-the-art roofing system made with transparent teflon fabric will transform the Biodome into a greenhouse like no other around.”

The GSC is excited to announce the arrival of our first animal star for the Greensboro Biodome, an adorable and charismatic Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth named Indie. A true ambassador of the rainforest, Indie will bring a touch of calm, charm and fascination to the Greensboro Biodome.

Jessica Hoffman-Balder, the GSC’s VP of Animal Health and Welfare, adds, “No pun intended, but we have been waiting for a long time to finally acquire Indie, as sloths have become an incredibly popular species for zoos and aquariums. We have been working with the AZA’s Species Survival Program® (SSP) for many years waiting for one to become our new Biodome ambassador. Indie was definitely worth the wait! She is a very curious, engaging, and dare we say, ‘active’ sloth that has already charmed our entire husbandry team. We can’t wait for the day we can showcase her and more sloths in our new Biodome!”

Linnaeus’s two-toed sloths, also known as the southern two-toed sloth, unau, or Linné’s two-toed sloth, range throughout Central America and northern South America, including portions of Brazil and Peru. Sloths are strictly arboreal, staying high in the canopy of the tropical rainforests. However, despite being nearly immobile on the forest floor, they are surprisingly competent swimmers. Each strand of brownish-gray hair on a sloth has grooves running from top to bottom, where two species of blue-green algae grow. This greenish tint camouflages them in the forest canopy.

Indie is currently residing in the Amazon Exhibit of the GSC’s Wiseman Aquarium until the completion of the Greensboro Biodome. Celebrate World Sloth Day with the GSC on October 20, 2023 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. More details to follow.