Sloths - Officially the coolest animal ever!

Trip Start Aug 20, 2011
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Trip End Dec 29, 2011


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Flag of Costa Rica  , Province of Limon,
Monday, November 21, 2011

Without a doubt, one of the highlights of this whole trip has to be my visit to the Sloth Sanctuary just outside Cahuita. Set up unintentionally by an American couple back in the early 1990's, they had bought land here and set up a small hotel, but were brought an injured baby sloth by some locals who thought they could look after it, and the rest is pretty much history. A fantastic set up where they provide veterinarian care to sick, injured and orphaned sloths, with a view to re-introducing them to the wild wherever possible, or minding them for life if not.

We got to meet 4 of the adult two- and three-toed sloths who were permanent residents for one reason or another, but also got to play with some of the babies who for the most part had been brought in orphaned and in need of care. So cute and soft and furry, and the sweetest little faces on them – how anyone could consciously hurt these beautiful, gentle creatures is beyond me, but they do …

One little guy called Udu had been orphaned and injured so has no use of his lower legs, but as a consequence is actually faster than his two-toed buddies as he is quicker with his upper arms
Udu, my little two-toed buddy
Udu, my little two-toed buddy
. He also took a liking to me and kept licking my hand (feels kinda like a cat, but not so rough), then liked me SO much decided to start gnawing on my finger, little bugger! Lucky he was so cute, and not rabid/infectious in any way ... ;-)

So, anyone else get a hand-hickey from a paraplegic baby sloth this week? …. No? …. Just me then ... ;-)

Anyways the pictures speak for themselves, but I am totally smitten …

Kx
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