Why do I choose sloths for my first post you ask? Because I happen to think sloths are adorable, and I hope you would agree with me. “Meet the Sloths” is a comedic film that sheds light on the world’s first sloth sanctuary in Costa Rica. Here, over 150 sloths of all ages and variety receive the love and care they need.
Judy Avey-Arroyo:
The founders of this sloth safe-haven are Judy Avey-Arroyo and Luis Arroyo. They first purchased this property to start bird tours on the Estrella River, and named it the “Aviarios del Caribe” (meaning “Caribbean Aviaries”). The government of Costa Rica officially declared the land as a privately-owned biological reserve in 1975. Later in 1991, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck near there, changing the course of the river, and ending the bird tours. For a short time, a small hotel was built on the property instead.
Buttercup:
1992 is the historic year when the first sloth was brought to the Arroyos. Three girls found a baby sloth next to its dead mom who had been hit by a car. The Arroyos knew nothing about sloth care at the time, and they found no help from local zoos and veterinarians. Even though they felt ill prepared, they used their best judgement to bring up the sloth who started it all; Buttercup. Luis Arroyo passed in 2011, but Judy and her team continue with their mission. On their website, it reads, “The mission of the Sloth Sanctuary is the rescue, rehabilitation, research and, when possible, the release of sloths and educating people about conserving the rainforest, the sloth’s natural habitat.” And the sanctuary has done just that.
One of the many babies:
The film they made, “Meet the Sloths”, follows the story of two rescued baby sloths, and introduces you the happy, and somewhat comical daily life at the Sloth Sanctuary. I think that one of the funniest parts is when the team talks about how sloths go to the bathroom. They only venture down to the forest bottom once a week, risking their lives to do their duty (I apologize for the bad pun). In the sanctuary they have to take the sloths outside once a week to do this, and the expression the sloths make is the most hilarious thing you will ever see. Here, I’ll give you just a glimpse:
Sloth potty-training:
The Sanctuary has been rapidly expanding. In 2004, it completed a Learning Center to help educate the public about how power lines and loss of habitat are endangering the sloth population. Over the years, through observation, veterinary assistance, and trial and error, they have developed their sloth expertise, and can now help others to defend our arboreal friends. And, the sloths now get to enjoy what was left of the bird sanctuary; their natural habitat all around them. Often, the team has the privilege of seeing the wild sloths in action, even having them venture into their sanctuary.
Hopefully, along with the fun times, information about how to properly care for sloths is spread, and then there can be more places like this where sloths can be rescued, rehabilitated, and possibly released. By the way, ever thought about taking a trip to Costa Rica? If you ever do, be sure to drop by the sanctuary for a stay in their Buttercup Inn, and a tour where you get to meet the sloths. It is an experience you will likely not forget. I’ll put a link to their website below. Enjoy the Sloth pics!
http://www.slothsanctuary.com/