AFP has recently reported that scientists have found the fur of the sloth to be a possible solution to the growing problem of superbugs. Resistance to harmful microorganisms is a natural phenomenon, but the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in humans, animals, and plants has made the problem worse.
University of Costa Rica researcher Max Chavarria said that the fur of sloths is an extensive habitat for microorganisms, such as insects, algae, fungi and bacteria. Because some of these organisms may pose a risk of disease, Chavarria and a team began a study in 2020 that examined fur samples to determine what control systems might be in place.
Chavarria found that antibiotic-producing bacteria may be present, allowing the sloths to control potential proliferation of disease-causing bacteria or suppress other competitors, such as fungi. So far, his team has identified 20 microbial "candidates" waiting to be named, though he says it's important to understand what kinds of molecules are involved before considering applications for human health.
The Taipei Zoo is educating the local population about the slow-moving animals and welcomed a baby sloth earlier this year, and it is staying with its parents before being revealed to the public soon. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species, both two- and three-toed sloths are currently in decline.