Today, we’re shining a light on the incredible efforts of the Sloth Conservation & Wildlife Experience by introducing you to some of the animals at the sanctuary. Each resident has a unique story and embodies the spirit of resilience and hope that the team works tirelessly to support. Join us as we highlight these extraordinary animals, their stories and the dedicated care that helps them thrive.
Mole the Sloth
Adorable little Mole has not been at the Sloth Conservation & Wildlife Experience long. He was rescued in June this year and came with his mother, who sadly passed away on arrival. Mole’s mother had a long-standing open fracture, which unfortunately led to necrosis and sepsis.
Mole is receiving milk and lots of greens in the sloth nursery and grows stronger every day. While he is sadly without his mother, the team are confident in his progress and hopes to release him back into the wild when he is old enough. For now, he continues to steal the hearts of everyone who looks at him, and we’re sure to bring all the latest updates as he progresses through his rehabilitation.
Pikachu the White-faced Capuchin
Arriving shortly after Mole, Pikachu, a small female white-faced capuchin, arrived with a traumatic leg injury. She was struck by a machete, which resulted in the sanctuary having to amputate her leg. Despite her small size, she has shown incredible bravery and has settled into sanctuary life.
Due to her amputation and fear of aggression from other wild capuchins, Pikachu is unable to be released. However, she has found a forever home at the sanctuary and has integrated into a small troop with capuchin friends Voldy and Huga. Together, the trio explores, plays, and leads a peaceful life, and Pikachu's injury doesn't hold her back!
Sloths Izzy & Wendy
Izzy and Wendy are both two-toed female sloths who were orphaned at a young age. Heart-breakingly, Izzy was found alone, while Wendy was discovered clinging to her deceased mother. Despite arriving at the sanctuary separately, they quickly formed a unique bond, which took many by surprise, as sloths are solitary animals by nature. Yet, Wendy and Izzy are often seen snuggling together in their hammock. Their close relationship is so unusual that the sanctuary even conducted tests to see if they are related - they are not!
Despite the sanctuary's best efforts, these two sweet ladies lacked the essential skills to survive independently in the wild. As a result, they live at the sanctuary and act as ambassadors for their species. Through their story, Wendy and Izzy are helping to raise awareness and educate the public about the importance of conservation and the incredible lives of sloths in the rainforest.
Tabby the Coatimundi
Tabby, a white-nosed coatimundi, was surrendered as a pet after her owner was seen walking her on a leash. Due to spending many years as a pet, she has become too humanised to be released back into the wild. Tabby now lives with her raccoon companion, Zorro, and spends her time rooting around in the greenery and dirt of her enclosure.
Senor Dona the Sloth
Senor Dona, the two-toed sloth, came to the sanctuary in 2019 for rehabilitation after an accident involving electrocution from a power line and being hit by car after the fall. Despite the dedicated efforts of the Sloth Conservation & Wildlife Experience team, Senora Dona suffered a significant injury to his back leg, which impacts his chances of survival in the wild. He now resides permanently at the sanctuary. Although he hasn't regained full use of his hind leg, he manoeuvres his enclosure independently and maintains a strong appetite and resilient spirit!
Voldy the White-faced Capuchin
Arriving after a tragic attack by another capuchin, Voldy came to the sanctuary without his nose and upper lip. He was also found with a severe leg wound infested with parasites. The veterinary team tried to save his leg, but sadly, the infection was too extreme, and it had to be amputated. Because of his young age and the significant injuries to his face, Voldy was deemed non-releasable.
The loss of his upper lip gives him a constant "smile", which, unfortunately, is a sign of aggression among monkeys. This unique expression initially worried the team, as they feared it might lead to further attacks from other primates, they tried to integrate him with. However, Voldy now lives with Pikachu (a fellow amputee capuchin) and Huga, and their small troop take comfort in each other's company.
Zorro the Raccoon
Zorro the raccoon was orphaned along with two or three of his siblings. From an early age, he became highly imprinted on humans, making it difficult for him to adapt to life in the wild. After periods of rehabilitation, the dedicated sanctuary team made multiple attempts, approximately four or five, to release him back into his natural habitat. Despite their best efforts, Zorro consistently returned to the sanctuary, unable to thrive on his own, unlike his siblings, who eventually ventured out on their own. Today, he has found a new companion in Tabby, the coatimundi, and has settled into a supportive and secure environment where he can live comfortably.
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Inspired by these stories? Head over the Sloth Conservation & Wildlife Experience project page and find out how you can become a volunteer. Together, we can continue to make a meaningful impact in the world of wildlife conservation.
