Save the Sloths - Sloth Sanctuary Donations

Danielle Carvey Start Date: Feb 29, 2016 - End Date: Jun 28, 2016
  • Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia

My Travel Story

by: Danielle Carvey Start Date: Feb 29, 2016 - End Date: Jun 28, 2016
I will be volunteering at Colombia Sloth Sanctuary, which is a rescue, rehabilitation and release centre that has been working for the past 20 years to promote and protect the welfare of sloths in Colombia. Their partner project is at the forefront of wildlife conservation in the area, and has rescued over 800 animals – mainly sloths, but also armadillos, anteaters and other local species – from the illegal wildlife and pet trade over the last decade.

Buying and selling protected wildlife is the third biggest illegal trade in Colombia with an estimated 60,000 animals trafficked each year. Sloths are one of the most sought after animals. Thousands of sloths are taken from the forest each year and drugged – their claws and teeth cut – to be illegally sold, sometimes for as little as ten US dollars. Without the sanctuary, authorities would have nowhere to house rescued or mistreated sloths and local wildlife, and there would be no way to reintroduce these animals into the wild when possible.

While the sanctuary does vital rescue, rehabilitation and release work, it also focuses on creating long-term community change. As a volunteer at the sloth sanctuary, I will be participating in annual awareness campaigns, collaboration with researchers to increase understanding of sloths in Colombia, and working with local communities to emphasise the importance of wild animals remaining in their natural eco systems and finding productive economic alternatives for these communities. 
  • Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia