ARIZONA NEWS

Here’s how Phoenix Zoo’s Fernando the sloth became star fundraiser

May 5, 2020, 4:15 AM

PHOENIX – In a world turned upside-down, perhaps it’s only appropriate that the Phoenix Zoo’s newest star fundraiser is a sloth.

Fernando may be slow, but he’s become a top earner for the zoo while it’s closed during the coronavirus pandemic.

Since the two-toed sloth joined Cameo, a video-sharing platform where people pay for celebrity shoutouts, the zoo has received 150 requests for a personalized clip. His popularity let the zoo boost his fee from $25 to $50.

“I think we’ve gotten more creative, kind of thinking a little bit outside the box. We’re trying things we never have before,” said Bert Castro, the Phoenix Zoo’s president and CEO.

Despite 4-year-old Fernando’s best efforts, the zoo has been losing $80,000 a day since shuttering March 18, Castro said.

The facility has been approved for $2.7 million in loans under the federal program and has raised hundreds of thousands online for its 3,000 animals.

Castro believes behind-the-scenes Facebook Live videos make people feel more connected to the zoo. In the past month, viewership has spiked 350%, and its Instagram following is growing.

Fernando’s Cameo appearances may be a tiny boost, but “it’s so popular we’ll continue it for as long as we can,” Castro said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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(Facebook Photo/Phoenix Zoo) Fernando, the two-toed sloth, reaches for a yellow rose to eat inside his habitat at the Phoenix Zoo Monday, April 27, 2020, in Phoenix.  The pandemic has jeopardized zoos around the world that have been forced to close but rely on ticket sales. The struggle has some zoos turning to social media to engage with people who can no longer visit and raise some much-needed cash. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Fernando, the two-toed sloth, reaches out for a red rose to eat inside his habitat at the Phoenix Zoo Monday, April 27, 2020, in Phoenix.  The pandemic has jeopardized zoos around the world that have been forced to close but rely on ticket sales. The struggle has some zoos turning to social media to engage with people who can no longer visit and raise some much-needed cash.  (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Fernando, the two-toed sloth, eats inside his habitat at the Phoenix Zoo Monday, April 27, 2020, in Phoenix.  The pandemic has jeopardized zoos around the world that have been forced to close but rely on ticket sales. The struggle has some zoos turning to social media to engage with people who can no longer visit and raise some much-needed cash.  (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Fernando, the two-toed sloth, sleeps inside his habitat at the Phoenix Zoo Monday, April 27, 2020, in Phoenix.  The pandemic has jeopardized zoos around the world that have been forced to close but rely on ticket sales. The struggle has some zoos turning to social media to engage with people who can no longer visit and raise some much-needed cash. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Fernando, the two-toed sloth, hangs upside-down inside his habitat at the Phoenix Zoo Monday, April 27, 2020, in Phoenix. The pandemic has jeopardized zoos around the world that have been forced to close but rely on ticket sales. The struggle has some zoos turning to social media to engage with people who can no longer visit and raise some much-needed cash.   (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Fernando, the two-toed sloth, falls asleep inside his habitat at the Phoenix Zoo Monday, April 27, 2020, in Phoenix. The pandemic has jeopardized zoos around the world that have been forced to close but rely on ticket sales. The struggle has some zoos turning to social media to engage with people who can no longer visit and raise some much-needed cash.   (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Fernando, the two-toed sloth, eats inside his habitat at the Phoenix Zoo Monday, April 27, 2020, in Phoenix. The pandemic has jeopardized zoos around the world that have been forced to close but rely on ticket sales. The struggle has some zoos turning to social media to engage with people who can no longer visit and raise some much-needed cash.  (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Here’s how Phoenix Zoo’s Fernando the sloth became star fundraiser