When an orphaned three-toed sloth was brought to her doorstep over 20 years ago, little did Judy Avey-Arroyo know that her whole life was about to change. We find out how the arrival of this single baby sloth led to the creation of a world-renowned sloth rescue and rehabilitation centre.
The Sloth Sanctuary is now a specialist institution that provides visitors the opportunity to meet this intriguing creature. The centre is dedicated to the protection of the two Costa Rican sloth species – the brown-throated three-toed sloth, Bradypus variegatus and Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth, Choloepus hoffmanni. Over 500 sloths have passed through the doors of the centre since it opened, with approximately 150 currently in residence, providing a full time job for the dedicated team of volunteers who help to keep the centre running.
Strange but true
- Sloths have algae growing on their fur that aids their camouflage in the treetops.
- Despite looking like monkeys, sloths are actually most closely related to anteaters!
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