These baby sloths are 'learning to be wild again' in Costa Rica's rainforest rehab

[Judi Lynn]

These baby sloths are ‘learning to be wild again’ in Costa Rica’s rainforest rehab


By Ben Anthony Horton • Updated: 03/02/2023 - 13:39

- video at link -

How do you teach a sloth to be a sloth? That’s the question facing an animal orphanage centre in Costa Rica.

Located deep within La Ceiba rainforest, the Jaguar Rescue Center (JRC) gives helpless sloths a chance to develop the necessary skills for life in the wild.

Though there’s little cuter than the sight of sloth babies peering out of a wheelbarrow, these youngsters have a tragic backstory.

Orphaned cubs are a frequent discovery in the rainforest, where many of their mothers succumb to electrocution, road traffic collisions and the teeth of wild dogs.

. . .

Only 1,500 sloths are still left in the wild, according to WWF, making them one of the most endangered mammals on the planet.

More:
https://archive.ph/pJInz#selection-1666.0-1931.109

Or:
https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/02/03/this-sloth-orphanage-is-helping-cubs-learn-to-be-wild-again

[secondwind]

1. So cute... is it true they have a very short life span?

[Judi Lynn]

2. Haven't heard about their life spans, but quite a few get smooshed trying to cross roads.

Roads are bad news for all animal fur friends, but it's really hard for slow moving critters like sloths to stand a chance getting across.

I hope sloths who don't cross roads have a decent chance of living long enough to die of old age....

They are fascinating!