Saving Sloths Together
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
Toucan Rescue RanchSave sloths with the Toucan Rescue Ranch and The Sloth Institute! #savingslothstogether
$5,974
raised by 69 people
$15,000 goal
Saving Sloths Together Update | Oro Released!
How many of you remember Oro the two-fingered sloth? No? Don’t worry, we will refresh everyone’s memory. Oro was rescued in February of 2016. He was found at the bottom of a tree. We later found out that he had been there for days before anyone acted. After he was finally brought to the Toucan Rescue Ranch’s clinic, we quickly realized that he was paralyzed. X-rays of the cervical vertebrae revealed that he was suffering from pinched nerves.
With this diagnosis, TRR was uncertain if Oro would live a fulfilling life being immobile. It was under debate, considering his age and condition if we should put him to sleep. But, Oro had hope. Our long-term veterinarian, Janet Sandi, was in the clinic with him giving his treatment and evaluation when Oro looked at Janet with conviction and suddenly began to lick her nose! It was then that Janet knew that Oro was a fighter and we all began to have hope for his recovery. We started him on his rehabilitation journey. With medication and physical therapy matched with a healthy diet, he began to regain strength during his rehabilitation regiment.
Both, TRR and The Sloth Institute of Costa Rica believe that Oro is an older sloth, and this could be why he had mobility issues. Oro continued to receive daily physical therapy at the Toucan Rescue Ranch. After a very long road of recovery, he began to use all four limbs, he was starting to become the dashing sloth he once was before his handicaps. It was then that we decided to send him out to the TRR Release Site to see how he would fair.
Oro adapted slowly, he still had some old tendencies – like being on the ground a lot and crawling around. This is not an ideal behavior for a sloth, as the ground is where a sloth is in most danger. After some back and forth between release training and returning to TRR headquarters for some necessary check-ups, the decision was made. Oro belonged #backinthetrees.
Oro’s release was an emotional moment for the Toucan Rescue Ranch. There have been dozens of individuals who have worked countless hours with Oro during his treatment, rehab, and release process. From the vets that worked with him in the clinic, to the interns who worked with him during his therapy, to finally his final stages before being released back into the wild. It has taken nearly 3 years to see this sloth become wild once again.
We would like to thank every one of those people and share with you this extremely special moment. It is instances like this that really allow us to say, "We did it!" but more importantly, Oro did it and is now a wild, happy sloth!
What is Saving Sloths Together?
In 2017 Toucan Rescue Ranch and The Sloth Institute came together to form Saving Sloths Together (SST), a Costa Rica wide project seeking to provide greater opportunity for sloths in need. By combining each organization’s skills and knowledge we are able to improve the process of sloth rescue, rehabilitation and release in Costa Rica. This partnership utilizes scientific expertise, dedication, passion and decades of experience to provide the very best program for every sloth needing help at gaining a second chance at a life in the wild.
Why do Sloths Need Help?
Historically, sloths have been a highly successful arboreal species however, growing human interactions and development in Costa Rica have made it difficult for them to thrive. As humans move further into the forests and coastlines, destroying natural habitats, sloths have been negatively impacted and greater numbers are dying. Couple this with the growing social media trends and publicities, sloths are faced with more threats to their survival than ever before. While Costa Rica sloths are not yet ENdangered, they are IN danger and need our help before it’s too late.
What Dangers do Sloths Face?
Sloths are rescued for various reasons. Common incidents include electrocution from power lines, car accidents, dog attacks, and human encroachment such as, deforestation and the illegal pet trade. Oftentimes, baby sloths suffer from injuries and the loss of their mother from such incidents. Babies are often found abandoned by their mother for unknown reasons (likely mother was involved in an accident). This is when the Saving Sloths Together project by TRR and TSI takes action. Together, we rescue hurt sloths and give them a second chance at life with the goal of releasing them back into the wild once “graduated” from the rehabilitation and release program.
A unique component of the SST project is the ability to take a hand-raised, orphaned sloth and give it a second chance at being wild. The concept of releasing captive-raised sloths back into the wild is a feat that has rarely been done with success. However, the combined expertise and resources of TRR and TSI with the SST project is eager to prove that sloths don't belong in cages but #backinthetrees because they were all #borntobewild.
Make a Difference for Sloths!
Your gift goes beyond the dollars and cents of your donation. With your support, you will give orphaned, hand-raised, and rehabilitated sloths a second chance at life in the wild. It is our goal that together, every rescue call and abandoned individual found will be returned to a natural life back among the trees. Saving Sloths Together provides a future not just for the sloths who go through the program, but for the health and understanding of the species nationwide. Your donation allows us to dedicate the time, medical and expert care to one of the most charismatic species in Costa Rica, the sloth.
What is the Toucan Rescue Ranch?
Toucan Rescue Ranch (TRR): was founded in 2004 to rescue, rehabilitate, and release Costa Rica wildlife. TRR receives and cares for confiscated, sick, and injured wildlife from government agencies. TRR gives the animals a home while providing appropriate medical treatment and rehabilitation to return them safely to the wild. TRR is a legal foundation in Costa Rica and a U.S. 501(c)3 tax deductible non-profit.
What is the Sloth institute of Costa Rica
?
The Sloth Institute Costa Rica (TSI): was founded in 2014 for the purpose of enhancing the welfare of captive and wild sloths through research and education. TSI collaborates with the Toucan Rescue Ranch on the rescue, rehabilitation and release of sloths. TSI is a legal non-profit in Costa Rica and fiscally sponsored by a U.S. 501(c)(3) tax deductible non-profit.