Project description
The nature conservation message this programme wants to
broadcast has three layers;firstly, that sloths are
beautiful animals and gentle creatures that should be
appreciated by every Surinamer; secondly, that people should
not take animals from the wild or from their mothers to live
with humans as pets; and thirdly, awareness-raising about
habitat loss. The ultimate goal is to have children and
adults rediscover their bond with nature and their own
humanity and compassion through a Surinamese conservation
product. The Green Heritage Fund Suriname is convinced that
if we are not capable of restoring this bond, this will
ultimately hamper the survival of the human species. The
situation of the sloth goes hand in hand with making people
more aware of the threat that habitat loss means to all
species, including humans.
The mission of the volunteers of the
Xenarthra Program is to protect the population of Xenarthra
(sloths, anteaters and armadillos) in Suriname, set up and
maintain a good wildlife rehabilitation facility and educate
the public and key decision makers about species and
ecosystem conservation.
This mission is achieved
primarily by the following three activities:
1) Collect sloths (Bradypus
tridactylus and choelopus didactylus), anteaters and
armadillos that are hurt or in a dangerous situation. Take
care of the sick animals in collaboration with the
veterinarians of the Animal Protection Society of Suriname.
Release healthy animals as quickly as possible in their
natural habitat.
2) To integrally protect
the Xenarthra, especially within the framework of the
national legislation, Cites, and the convention of
Washington.
3) Continue and expand the
educational awareness program on Xenarthra within the
context of its environment. From experience, the three-toed
sloth and lesser anteater have revealed themselves to be
fantastic species for transferring the message to children
because of their sweet, pacifist and affectionate character.
Within the context of the project, no children will be
allowed access to injured animals or animals in
rehabilitation.
Who was Lucia the Sloth?
Lucia, a sloth orphan, was brought to the Animal Protection
Society by a woman who had seized the animal from a vagrant.
The Animal Protection Society Suriname especially caters to
traditional pets, such as dogs and cats. None of the
shelters that were available at the time had room for a wild
animal. M. Pool then offered to take care of this animal. It
became immediately clear that there was little expertise in
the field of rehabilitation care for three-toed sloths (Bradypus tridactylus)
and their biology, as well as what is happening to them as a
result of habitat loss. This project tries to fill that gap.
Visit also Lucia's own
website.
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