This Costa Rican Rescue Center Is the Best Place To See Sloths While Helping the Animals

If you need a bit of a pick-me-up, there’s nothing like animals for a serotonin boost. The Jaguar Rescue Center in Costa Rica opened its doors in 2008 to nurse sloths, birds, monkeys, reptiles, and other wild animals back to health, and helped over 800 animals in 2021 alone, including introducing babies back to their mothers.

@matadornetwork Fun fact: #sloths often give birth while hanging upside down @jaguarrescuecentercr #slothtok #slothlover #costaricatravel ♬ original sound – Fav Tunes

According to a news release, this mom and baby sloth were found on May 10 near the beach. The baby was crying, but the mom didn’t seem to notice as she climbed back to the canopy. The baby sloth was brought in for a check-up with the vet and had no injuries. The Jaguar Rescue Center used a tactic where they played the sloth’s cry near the tree until the mother noticed and came down for her baby.

The organization receives over 300 sloths a year. Common injuries include electrocution on power lines, car accidents, and dog attacks. They also help those that have become orphans. Time at the center is structured around need to help them survive in the wild, while sloths that are too severely injured get a permanent home at the animal rescue. The timeline is about two years.

Since 2008, over 40 percent of animals that make their way to the rescue center have returned to the wild. If you’d like to see the cuddly creatures in person, a tour costs just $24 a person with no reservation needed. If you can’t find your way to Playa Chiquita anytime soon, you can donate or even symbolically adopt an animal to receive pictures and updates.

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