SEATTLE - A necropsy performed this afternoon on Woodland Park Zoo’s sloth bear cub points to pneumonia as the cause of death, caused by a systemic infection. The injuries found on the cub are believed to be post-mortem trauma by the mother. The 42-day-old cub was found dead this morning in its off-view maternity den. Further findings are pending pathology and cultural test results, which may take several weeks.

The cub, believed to be a male, was the first offspring between first-time mother, 4-year-old mother Khali (call-lee), and 6-year-old father Randy. It was the first birth of the endangered species at the zoo in 20 years.

Very little is known about sloth bears in zoos and in the wild. Moreover, sloth bear births are very rare. As a highly respected leader in wildlife conservation, “Woodland Park Zoo will continue its conservation efforts to breed the endangered sloth bear and other endangered species,” says zoo Deputy Director Bruce Bohmke.

Visitors may view the adult male sloth bear along the Trail of Adaptations. For more information about sloth bears and the 92-acre, award-winning zoo, call 206.684.4800.