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Nature and EnvironmentLatin America

Saving the sleepy sloth

October 17, 2017

In Suriname, sloths are falling victim to deforestation. The peace-loving animals with a reputation for being lazy are turning up injured and confused in the city. One animal sanctuary is trying to protect them.

https://p.dw.com/p/2lu0h
Sloth at the Green Heritage Fund Suriname
Image: DW/Bettina Thoma

Suriname: Rescuing sloths

Project goal: Supporting Suriname's first and only wildlife protection center for the rescue, care and release of Xenarthra (sloths, anteaters, and armadillos)
Project implementation: The wildlife protection center is run by local organization Green Heritage Fund Suriname (GHFS) - the German animal protection group Welttierschutzgesellschaft supports the project financially and through consulting
Project size: GHFS has rescued more than 600 animals since opening in 2015. On average, the center treats, cares for (and if possible, releases) three animals per week
Project financing: Welttierschutzgesellschaft has provided 43,000 euros ($50,664) since 2016

Sloths spend nearly their whole lives up in the treetops. That's where they sleep, eat and bring their young into the world. But they are quickly losing their homes, as humans settlements spread into the forest. Suriname is still largely covered by rainforest. But even there, sloth habitat is under threat. Volunteers at Green Heritage Fund Suriname are increasingly finding confused and injured animals who have strayed into the city. They're trying to help the peace-loving sloths.

A film by Bettina Thoma