Don’t visit any facility, in any country, that allows you to touch, feed or take a photo with a sloth. Sloths in these situations are being exploited for money and do not contribute to their conservation. In Costa Rica, this practice is illegal because it is not in the best interest of the animals. In countries like the US this practice is unfortunately legal, but you will find that the facilities that allow this often purchase baby sloths directly from the wild to train them for these practices. This often leads to their death from poor diet at a young age and always leads to their direct lack of freedom to support this industry.
SLOTHS ARE NOT PETS!
This should go without saying, but sloths are wild animals that belong in the wild and only want to stay there. Never purchase a sloth to keep for yourself. They would not be happy and would likely die from an improper diet and stress.
It’s baby season for Manuel Antonio’s sloths so you might be wondering—What to do if you find a baby sloth alone on the ground?!
1. Check the area for the mom—usually momma sloth is nearby and looking for her baby. Remember, sloths are very good at hiding, so just because you can’t see her doesn’t mean she isn’t there!
2. If the baby isn’t in immediate danger leave it where you found it and let it cry. The crying call of the baby is what alerts mom to the baby’s location.
3. If you can see mom and the baby is crying then step back and get everyone around you to step back. Try to get out of sight of both mom and baby so mom feels comfortable enough to come to the ground to retrieve her baby.
4. Stay quiet! Strange noises are scary for sloths. They are always on alert for predators so when it is too noisy, they freeze and wait for the danger to pass. Also, if it is too noisy momma sloth won’t be able to hear where her baby is located.
5. You can take photos from far away but make sure not to use flash. The flash could scare mom and make her stop from retrieving her baby.
If you follow these steps carefully, usually mom will get her baby within 10-30 minutes.
If you can’t find mom or if baby is in danger, is injured, or if you are unsure of what to do CALL our RESCUE number: 87-SLOTHS and we will come within minutes to help!
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This is probably the main question we get (and why they poop on the ground…stay tuned for that). Stereotypically speaking, sloths are often categorized as lazy and dumb because of their cryptic habits. In general, we humans tend to recognize speed and power as the most successful way to go about life. However, their slow lifestyle is not something to be teased or reviled. In fact, their slow lifestyle should be celebrated as they have been highly successful (before human encroachment) at living in a rainforest environment. Their strategy for success is one of deliberate and calculated movements and staying under the radar. Below are the three main reasons why sloths are slow.
Welcome to the August edition of That’s Fishin’ for more tales of the high seas from World Record setting Snook, monster Marlin, Trophy Roosterfish and the ever-present Tuna and Dorado keeping the lines tight of our visiting Anglers from around the world.
OFFSHORE FISHING
July provided some solid all-round fishing with some great species variety. There were Wahoo showing over the Offshore Reefs with plenty of fish in the 20-30lb category, and a few larger specimens also. Huge congrats to Reg Talbot from England who landed a huge 60lb Wahoo aboard GOOD DAY which measured 65” in length, just an epic fish by anyone’s standards. There was a surprise Tuna bite for much of late June/early July when the Tuna schools pushed close in and were popping up only 10-15 miles Offshore right in front of the Marina Pez Vela. Most fish were in the 30lb range but there were some larger 50-80lb Tuna mixed in also giving our Anglers some excellent action and some amazing aerial scenes of the Tuna feeding on Flying Fish and Ballyhoo bait schools.
The Dorado fishing was excellent throughout July, the seasonal rains have been keeping a steady supply of debris such as logs, floating trees etc at the current breaks 5 to 15 miles Offshore where the Dorado like to hang out. There have been lots of Dorado in the 5lb to 15lb class with the odd 30-50lb Bull Dorado also.
We have been seeing Sailfish on most Offshore trips and this should continue through August. The Blue Marlin fishing during day charters in July was better than it was during June with most Marlin in the 150-180lb range but with some larger fish mixed in also. Huge congrats to Satch from North Carolina who had the family fishing trip on a lifetime in mid-July catching a 250lb Blue Marlin aboard GOOD DAY which his 12-year-old son tagged for the GRAY FISHTAG RESEARCH program before releasing it. Memories made for a lifetime! The Blue Marlin Fishing at our Offshore FADS & SEAMOUNTS has been firing on all cylinders with boats HOG WILD & CARIBSEA posting some incredible Marlin catches during June and July with the bite not expecting to slow down during August.
Closer to shore, August should continue to provide excellent opportunities for Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna, Wahoo and Dorado plus Snapper and Grouper for those who want to try bottom fishing.
We are so excited to announce our new Citizen Sloth Scientist program!
Manuel Antonio is the most visited national park in Costa Rica. The natural beauty of the rainforest meeting the ocean is irresistible and of course the wildlife is incredible! Especially the sloths (we aren’t biased at all)!
But when you see a sloth in the trees, have you ever had questions? Take our Citizen Sloth Scientist survey and let us know what you saw and where. Don’t know what you saw? No problem! This survey will give you our best guess (based on your responses) at the end. You will also have the opportunity to upload photos as well.
Why? Not a lot is known about the overall population of sloths in the wild. Any information can be helpful in planning future studies. You will also learn a lot about sloths and who you saw while taking this survey!
In addition to giving us preliminary information about sloths around Manuel Antonio, you can also report a sloth in danger (like on electric wires or in a house) as you are redirected to our emergency number (87-SLOTHS) where our 24/7 expert sloth team will come to assess the situation in a hurry! We will also work to mitigate the danger through our collaborations with the local ICE and Fire department and habitat restoration techniques.
In 2019, The Sloth Institute rescued and rehabilitated 65 sloths. Here are our Top 5 favorite rescue stories of 2019.
Dollyis a two-fi ngered sloth who was electrocuted and fell from the top of a transformer. She sustained damage to her eye and arm but she recovered surprisingly well. She is the fi rst sloth we’ve tried acupuncture treatment to help with lost motor skills.
Humpty Dumpty’s body was so broken, it was a miracle he survived. Multiple fractures, contusions and neurological issues are no match for his fighting spirit, however—he was climbing trees in no time!
While reuniting an abandoned crying baby with his mother we noticed odd behavior from mom. We brought Mrs. Jumbo and Dumbo in and found a bacterial infection. With care and a very trusting mother sloth, they became well enough to be released and are tracked daily with a collar.
Nemo’seyes were covered with skin membrane from his eyeballs. His face was full of thorns and was possibly attacked by bees. Stem cells and other treatments allowed us to nally gaze in his sweet, beautiful eyes.
Schumeris not a sloth but a Tamandua anteater. Orphaned at two weeks, she’s now an adolescent and learning skills she’ll need in the wild. She’s named after a certain comedian 😉
If you see a sloth who is in need of help, please call or send a message via WhatsApp to The Sloth Institute’s Sloth Response Team at +506 87SLOTHS. Ideally it is best to send photos or a video of the sloth in need of rescue. The TSI Sloth Response Team can then properly assess the situation. There are times we get a call about a sloth in danger when they aren’t in need of rescue.
You can also call your local Bomberos (Fire Department). If a sloth is on the electric wires you can also call ICE.
ABOUT THE SLOTH INSTITUTE
The Sloth Institute (TSI)’s mission is to enhance the welfare and conservation of sloths through research and education. TSI is located in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. For more information please visit TheSlothInstitute.org or email us: info@theslothinstitute.org. If you see a sloth who needs help: CALL or WHATSAPP +506 87SLOTHS 7 5 6 8 4 7.
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Prince Eric is a young adult male three-fingered sloth that came into our care at the beginning of August. We received a call from a local business that a sloth had fallen onto a bridge in the forest that surrounds their property. Sloths are actually very good at falling because of their sturdy skeleton (and they fall pretty regularly in a normal lifetime) but because the bridge that he fell onto wasn’t the soft forest floor he broke his arm.
X-rays determined that he would need orthopedic surgery to correct his fracture. Surgeons Dr Daniel Chavarría and Dr. Janet Sandi Carmiol have given Prince Eric a hopeful prognosis, despite the fact that three-fingered sloths don’t always do well with pins in their
bones. (Sloths tend to have allergic reactions to the metal, and therefore need longer healing time compared to similarly sized mammals.)
Prince Eric has been a sweet patient. TSI and his doctors are hoping for full recovery, but we need your support!
We have two new sloths we rescued receiving medical care and rehabilitation at The Sloth Institute. Welcome Popcorn and Simba!
Popcorn is a juvenile female two-fingered sloth that fell out of a tree because she was sick and weak due to a bad mange infection. After a few months of treatment at TSI, she is feeling much better. She just needs to gain some more weight and then she’ll be ready to be released back to the wild.
Simba is a juvenile male three-fingered sloth who we found on the ground at a nearby hotel in poor health. We discovered he had a bacterial infection and parasites. He has been recovering smoothly and responding well to his treatments. We anticipate he will also be ready to go back to the wild as soon as he puts on a little more weight.
Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), Costa Rica’s government-run electricity and telecommunications services provider, often gets calls or is the first responder when people report a sloth in danger. Because ICE workers aren’t wildlife handlers, The Sloth Institute provides training to teach them how to properly handle the sloths for the workers’ safety and for the safety of the sloths.
We also discuss TSI’s research and rehabilitation and release program, educate about general sloth facts and give hands-on training on how to safely remove sloths from wires. It’s not as easy it may look! The education instills the workers with confidence in their abilities to handle and help sloths.
What To Do If You See A Sloth In Danger
If you see a sloth who is in need of help, please call or send a message via WhatsApp to The Sloth Institute’s Sloth Response Team at +506 87SLOTHS. Ideally it is best to send photos or a video of the sloth in need of rescue. The TSI Sloth Response Team can then properly assess the situation. There are times we get a call about a sloth in danger when they aren’t in need of rescue.
You can also call your local Bomberos (Fire Department). If a sloth is on the electric wires you can also call ICE.
ABOUT THE SLOTH INSTITUTE
The Sloth Institute (TSI)’s mission is to enhance the welfare and conservation of sloths through research and education. TSI is located in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. For more information please visit TheSlothInstitute.org or email us: info@theslothinstitute.org. If you see a sloth who needs help: CALL or WHATSAPP +506 87SLOTHS 7 5 6 8 4 7.
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Remember Dolly the two-fingered sloth? She was receiving experimental acupuncture treatment for an injury due to an electrocution from a power line. Her treatments were donated by Dr. Constant Boshoff, BSc D.C. of Rafiki Chiropractic Care. He hoped that several weeks of acupuncture could help Dolly regain mobility in her right arm. Treatments began in February and completed at the end of May.
What was the result?
Dolly’s experimental acupuncture treatment WORKED! Dolly is now able to use her arm and hand to climb. This accomplishment gives assurance of her ability to survive in the wild.
“I’ll take her swimming and see if we can continue to improve her mobility to get her arm to recover 100%,” said TSI Sloth Director Sam Trull.
The Sloth Institute is grateful to Dr. Constant Boshoff for his generous support. Dolly’s successful treatment with acupuncture means hope for other sloths in need.
Watch a video of Dolly after her successful acupuncture treatment! Check out “Sloth Diaries” on TheSlothInstitute.org or find us on Facebook and Instagram @TheSlothInstitute.
ABOUT THE SLOTH INSTITUTE
The Sloth Institute (TSI)’s mission is to enhance the welfare and conservation of sloths through research and education. TSI is located in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. For more information please visit TheSlothInstitute.org or email us: info@theslothinstitute.org. If you see a sloth who needs help: CALL or WHATSAPP +506 87SLOTHS 7 5 6 8 4 7.
“Finding Freedom” is a brand new sloth conservation comic series based on true stories from The Sloth Institute. The story stars a young Sam Trull, TSI’s Co-Founder & Sloth Director, doodled by illustrator Vivian Nguyen. Click to enlarge.
Click to enlarge.
Follow the continuing story of “Finding Freedom” on Instagram @findingfreedom_aslothstory
ABOUT THE SLOTH INSTITUTE
The Sloth Institute (TSI)’s mission is to enhance the welfare and conservation of sloths through research and education. TSI is located in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. For more information please visit TheSlothInstitute.org or email us: info@theslothinstitute.org. If you see a sloth who needs help: CALL or WHATSAPP +506 87SLOTHS 7 5 6 8 4 7.
Filed under: The Sloth Institute Comments Off on Finding Freedom: A New Comic Series About Sloth Education and Conservation
SAY NO TO SLOTH EXPLOITATION!
OFFSHORE FISHING
