Athena

By Zak Failla From Daily Voice

Athena, a fan-favorite two-toed sloth at the National Zoo in DC, died after a sudden medical decline, officials announced. She was 7 years old.

Zoo staff said Athena had early-onset chronic kidney disease, which made it hard for her to keep weight on. 

Over the last few months, keepers saw her lose weight faster, sleep more, wake up slower, and show less interest in her favorite foods, officials said. She was moved to the zoo’s veterinary hospital the afternoon of Nov. 13, where she was given fluids and anti-nausea medicine. 

Staff said she had lost muscle and weight, but an exam did not show a clear cause of her decline. She died overnight.

Keepers said Athena was known for being “sassy,” “curious,” and full of energy. 

When she arrived at the zoo as a 1-year-old, she would sneak up behind keepers and try to pull feed cups or hoses out of their hands, staffers said. She loved the mist that mimicked rainfall and often got what staff called the “sloth zoomies,” racing in and out of the water until she was soaked.

Staff said Athena helped teach visitors that sloths are active and smart animals with special traits that help them live on plants. 

She also helped zoo researchers learn how fecal transplants could improve the health of zoo animals. Officials said her contributions will help countless animals in the future.

Guests can still visit two male two-toed sloths at the zoo: Vlad in the Small Mammal House and Howie in the Amazonia rainforest habitat.