Baby sloth takes private jet from Florida to Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- A baby sloth bound for the National Aviary in Pittsburgh was treated to a private jet flight from Florida to Pennsylvania.

The baby two-toed sloth was flown to Pittsburgh on a private jet while accompanied by the National Aviary's Cathy Schlott, curator of behavioral management and education, and Dr. Pilar Fish, director of veterinary medicine.

Schlott said she is not worried about the differences between the sloth and the birds she has worked with in her 13 years at the aviary.

"Once you're a good solid trainer, and you understand the techniques, all you have to do then is start to learn the individual behavior of the other kind of animal, and study up on their behaviors, and you can train anything," she told KDKA-TV.

She said she does not expect the species' reputation to affect the sloth's ability to learn.

"I think he's going to be a quick learner, but a slow mover," Schlott joked.

The aviary shared video on Facebook of the sloth settling down for bed after its whirlwind first day in Pittsburgh.

The baby sloth is scheduled to go on display at the National Aviary for the first time Friday.

"They're such unique animals," Fish said. "You have to slow everything down to adapt to them. But just knowing what's normal and natural for a sloth is a first step in being able to provide high-quality care for them."