Bocas del Toro’s First Sloth Rescue and Rehabilitation Center Is Official!

As many of you know, Keep Bocas Wild has been rescuing injured and orphaned wildlife over the past few years with the help of Papá Gato Animal Welfare. Of all the wildlife we have helped, the overwhelming majority of the calls we respond to are for sloths.  To date we have treated over 60 sloths, from all the islands and the mainland. Almost all cases were a result of a dog attack or vehicle, which is why Keep Bocas Wild is so passionate about preserving and connecting the canopy with rope bridges, as well as replanting trees. We have helped many more sloths without admitting them as patients by reuniting babies with moms, relocating sloths to safety, or assessing them for injury when needed.

With the continually increasing number of sloth calls, the need for a fully functioning Sloth Rescue Center has been clear for a while. It has been a long process, but we are now finally legally permitted by The Ministry of Environment to run a Sloth Rescue and Rehabilitation Center on Isla Colon!

Since our very first patient we have worked with the experts at The Sloth Institute (TSI) Costa Rica who have helped guide us with our patients in care. Our new Center in Bocas is being built in collaboration with TSI Costa Rica, who are experts in specialized care for these unique animals. The goal of the Center is returning the sloths to the wild, and their well-being is our priority. The Rescue Center is located on almost 30 acres of pristine jungle property where the sloths can recuperate in their natural setting.  Sloths are extremely sensitive and susceptible to stress, and all human exposure is kept to a minimum. For the benefit of the sloths, the center will not be open to the public. We look forward to providing updates on social media on sloths in care.

We need your help to get our patients back in the wild where they belong. We have government permits, but not government funding. In the very short time we have had our permits we have already admitted 8 sloths, including an adult male Two Toed who had surgery on his injured arm this past week. Another newborn baby Two Toed was brought to us by MiAmbiente. She was found on her mother who was most likely killed by a dog. Fortunately, after a rough start the baby is now healthy and growing quickly, just as the adult male is recovering rapidly. Soon, both of them will need specialized small outdoor enclosures to begin climbing in. Our first fundraising goal is to cover these enclosures as well as enclosures used to quarantine new patients. We have started a GoFundMe for these, as well as equipment and supplies for the Center. We also have an Amazon Wishlist for anyone able to help buy needed supplies. Please contact us if you would like to donate in another way!

Be sure to check us out on Facebook for updates on patients in care, as well as information on volunteer opportunities. We also have more exciting news coming soon!!

GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/4c87935b

Amazon Wishlist:  www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/LOT6B5ONIP7H

Facebook: Keep Bocas Wild https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558048919994

E-mail: keepbocaswild@gmail.com

Article by Shel Bulford of Keep Bocas Wild