"Adopt a Sloth"

International day of the sloth is fast approaching.  From now through the end of October anyone who signs up for a recurring donation of $25 or more will receive this adorable stuffed sloth animal.  Please go to our Sloth Save website to make a donation.

Let’s help spread the message that the only sloth that should ever be taken home is a toy sloth.  Together we can make a difference.  All proceeds will go toward efforts to raise awareness that sloths are not pets or entertainment and they should always remain in the wild.  

"Keep Sloths Wild"

 

Are you a talented and creative individual with a love for sloths?  Help Sloth Save design an image for our “Keep Sloths Wild” campaign and your artwork could be used to help raise awareness on the need to protect these beautiful creatures.  If selected, your image would be featured on our Facebook page, blog, Zazzle merchandise and/or other tools used for raising awareness. 
 

The criteria for the image is simple:

• Please keep it PG.
• Incorporate the tagline “Keep Sloths Wild.”
• Be creative!  

The goal of this campaign is to raise awareness in Costa Rica and throughout the world that sloths should never be held captive or kept as pets.  Please submit images directly on the Sloth Save Facebook page or blog.  By submitting your image you give Sloth Save permission to use your image for campaigning purposes.  
 

Rehabilitation

 

Observing sloths prior to rescue is essential to our mission. If a sloth is not injured or sick, it should be allowed to "power through" its daily routines--perhaps descending to the ground to move to a different patch of trees, to defecate, or for another slothful purpose. If the sloth is assessed and truly needs to be rescued, then it should be transported to a reputable facility as early as possible. 

When searching for a reputable facility, ask a few questions. Is their a veterinarian on staff? Do they have experience with Xenarthra species? Do they have a proven track record and a mission to release sloths?

A professional facility will be able to answer your questions thoroughly. The sick or injured sloth will then be examined by a staff member or veterinarian and a plan will be created. Based upon the injury, sloths age, hydration, ability to eat and many other factors, a tailored treatment, rehabilitation and release plan will be developed.  

This plan must be constantly updated based upon the ability of the sloth to heal and progress. Sloths will be monitored by their caretakers and veterinarians and plans will be constantly modified to reflect progress or setbacks. The release site is decided upon based upon country and local regulations. The site should be observed to insure that the ecosystem is able to support another sloth.  Another critical parameter to consider is whether or not the ecosystem has a ready supply of the same foods that were used during rehabilitation. 

Sloth Rescue - Do's and Don'ts

Sloth Save believes that wild animals should remain free whenever possible.  However, there are times when wild sloths need to be rescued, and hopefully, treated and later released.  Unfortunate circumstances might include sloths hit by cars, electrocution by climbing on live wires or occasionally being mauled by dogs.  

These circumstances may result in a sloth being injured and therefore not able to survive in the wild.  At this point it is time to call in reinforcements.  Whenever dealing with a wild animal care should be taken in handling. Gently placing a thick blanket over the sloth will allow the rescuer to carefully wrap the animal and transport it to the treatment facility.  When searching for a reliable treatment partner, always inquire about the release record of the center.  It is essential that the sloths are returned to the wild, after their rehabilitation, whenever possible. 

Always research a sloth treatment facility before entrusting them with your rescued sloth.  It is important to know that their objective is to get the sloth treated and back to the business of being a wild sloth as quickly as possible!

Education

Education is the key to protecting sloths.

Misinformation and exploitation of has resulted in hundreds of these animals being held for their life span in small cages.  Loss of habitat, poaching and exploitation threaten the survival of sloth species.

In spring 2012, Sloth Save representatives attended an international consortium, about the care and release of Xeanthria species. This international meeting was held in Medallin, Colombia in 2012.  The event was organized by Foundation AIUNAU Veterinarians, biologists and animal husbandry professionals discussed their research, publications and experience.

The Sloth Save campaign takes years of data, testimonials and publications and makes it available in our online resource center.  We also develop global and local educational programs to raise awareness about sloths.

The best way to insure sloths live in the wild is to make sure they are never removed from their natural ecosystems.  This will be easier to accomplish by following these steps:

• Realizing that most  “rescued” sloths do not need to be saved.  The should be left in the wild and observed.
• Build local support to protect sloths
• Say “no” to poaching and sloth tourism.  Wild sloths support ecotourism and therefore a more sustainable infusion to the local economy.

General

Sea Save Foundation recognizes, that whenever possible, wild sloths should live in their natural habitat. Unfortunately, there are times when sloths and other animals become injured and are not able to released. On these rare occasions these animals should be kept in expansive, clean enclosures, which resemble their natural habitats. These sloths can be used as ambassadors raising awareness, and educating children about the importance of protecting these animals and their habitat.

Misinformation and exploitation of sloths has resulted in hundreds of these animals being held for their life span in small cages. Loss of habitat, poaching and exploitation threaten the survival of sloth species.