Sloth Pre-Release Enclosure

Why We Need YOU:

Join the Toucan Rescue Ranch (TRR) in raising funds for our rescued adult and orphaned sloths! This fundraiser will allow us to build a pre-release enclosure for our Sloth Release Program at our Release Site in Sarapiqui, Costa Rica.

What is the Toucan Rescue Ranch?

The Toucan Rescue Ranch is a licensed rescue facility in Costa Rica and continues to take in all types of rescued birds and mammals. The Ministry of the Environment and Energy (MINAE) is a government agency that calls on the Ranch to take in severe cases. Additionally, TRR has an Education Program that teaches about the importance of conservation, as well as, a Breeding and Release Program to promise the prosperity of Costa Rica's rainforests. 

TRR and The Sloth Institute (TSI) recently teamed-up to help release more sloths. TSI is a research based non-profit whose mission is to expand the scientific knowledge and education about sloths to enhance the well-being and assure their conservation. This collaboration will allow us to expand our release efforts to orphaned and rehabilitated juvenile sloths.  The program will now encompass the necessary personnel, tools, research, and procedures needed to successfully reintroduce our sloths back into an environment that is rich with sloth activity. This will add to our existing release record of 18 adult sloths and allow us to evaluate our current adult and orphaned sloths to help expand our Sloth Release Program. 

Why do we have Adult Sloths?

We house adult sloths because they were brought to TRR as orphans and raised by humans. Unfortunately, very few rescue centers have the means to successfully reintroduce sloths raised by people back into the wild. Now, by implementing TSI's program, we will have all the necessary tools to teach our sloths the skills that their mothers would have taught them (i.e. to be strong, healthy, and an equipped wild sloth). 

Why do we have Orphaned Sloths?

Sloths are brought to our rescue center for various reasons. Common incidents include electrocution from exposed power lines, car accidents, dog attacks, and human encroachment (habitat loss, illegal pet-trade). Oftentimes, baby sloths suffer from injuries and the loss of their mother from said incidents.  

Why is the Pre-Release Enclosure Important?

Reintroducing sloths into the wild is no easy task. When teaching a captive raised sloth how to be wild, we must first teach them the necessary behaviors to survive. In order to accomplish this, we need a setting where they are provided a safe environment, but also introduced to their future home - the rainforest. A pre-release enclosure facilitates this introduction by giving sloths more space to forage, allows researchers to provide enrichment, and exposes the sloths to elements of the jungle. With this enclosure we will be able to see our sloths demonstrate foraging skills and other important postures and behaviors. Finally, this will allow us to slowly introduce the sloth into its natural world! (The pre-release enclosure will be 8 x 8 x 6 meters!)

Putting Sloths Back in the Trees:

Dr. Seuss once said in his famous book The Lorax, "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." As he flawlessly expressed, positive change simply starts with you. Today, we reach out to you to be the catalyst for change for the beloved sloth. 

At TRR our motto has always been to rescue, rehabilitate, love, and liberate. In 2007, TRR embarked on the rescue and love of sloths, thanks to a beautiful two-fingered orphan by the name of Millie. Now, as Millie turns 9-years old, we continue to rescue orphaned sloths just as she was almost a decade ago.

It is the Toucan Rescue Ranch's mission to provide the utmost care and when possible, release, of all wildlife brought to us. Whether it is for various species, or just one animal, all are valued equally. As a charitable non-profit organization, donations are inevitably a working part of the overall success of the Ranch and its ability to care for its animals. 

We ask YOU to be that SOMEONE highly regarded by Dr. Seuss.  

Please take a minute to review our photos, videos, social media, and website to learn more about our mission and how you can be a part of our animal rescue efforts!

With Slothless Thanks,

The Toucan Rescue Ranch

(If you or someone you know works for a company that matches funds when donating - we are a registered 501c(3) EIN 80-0516453)