Sloths are trending; if you look on Instagram, there are countless selfies with this endangered species. Yes, these toothless mammals, related to anteaters and armadillos, are just too cute. And no one suspects that the wild animals' supposed smile is due to flaccid facial muscles. Sloths have no reason to be happy when you hold them for a pose. Today, sloths urgently need protection, even if not all of the six remaining living species are among the endangered species in our world.
There is already a World Sloth Day on October 20th to draw more attention to these endangered animals. And countless funds are dedicated to saving sloths through donation financing. We are happy to support one of these organizations. One euro from every FAULI toy sold goes to the Stg Green Heritage Fund Suriname, the only sloth rescue station in Suriname, created by sloth protector Monique Pool. Or as Sid the sloth from Ice Age would freely translate: "Money, Money, Money" for a good cause.
Sloths in Suriname suffer from legal logging
Suriname, where exactly is that? Roughly speaking, it is a small state in northern South America with just over half a million inhabitants, mostly living in the capital city of Paramaribo. Otherwise, a wild-growing jungle dominates the landscape – a perfect place for sloths to really hang out. Whether with two fingers or three fingers, life is good in the jungle here. Unfortunately, however, Suriname is also affected by logging. Up to seven percent of the rainforest here may be cleared for officially permitted construction projects.
The problem for sloths: they are mostly very adapted to the food supply in their region and learn what they can eat as young animals. This makes relocation deeper into the jungle difficult. Oh yes: the fact that sloths are considered lazy and sluggish is due to their special metabolism, in which a week can pass between food intake and food excretion. The supposed sluggishness has the advantage that they can camouflage themselves from enemies such as snakes, jaguars, and eagles and also save energy, which is quite advisable with low-energy leaves as their main food source.
What else do sloths have in common with our darlings, dogs? Both like to sleep a lot. The sloth even more than two-thirds of the day.
A sloth as a pet or selfie motif is a no-go
Did you know this: about 10,000 to 20,000 years ago, a giant sloth even lived on our earth. It was about as large and heavy as an elephant today. In 2020, there are only six sloth species left in the world (there used to be 100), usually about 60 cm tall and weighing about five to six kilograms. The pygmy three-toed sloth is already critically endangered, and the maned three-toed sloth is considered an endangered species. Why do we even distinguish between two-toed and three-toed sloths? Simply because there are two species with two fingers on the front and four species with three fingers on the front limbs. All species have three toes on the back.
Despite the endangerment, there are people today who like to keep sloths as pets. Because they find them cute or want to show off to friends. A trend that is not good for wild animals. Captivity is a death sentence for these sweet jungle dwellers, almost always unavoidable after a previous illness. Some of the inhabitants of the sloth rescue stations are accordingly former pets that were given up by owners after reports from neighbors, fearing punishment. Also hard to believe: sloths are even on the menu of some people.
The selfies circulating online with sloths or baby sloths may be cute, but they are no fun for the animals. Whenever you are offered a sloth for a selfie on vacation, politely decline and report it to the local authorities instead.
The sloth rescue station in Suriname has existed since 2005
Monique Pool is actually a translator and continues to do so today. Primarily, however, she passionately cares for sloths and anteaters and other endangered species in Suriname. She nurses young animals that have lost their mothers with a baby bottle to release them back into the wild when they are strong and big enough, preferably in the region of the Saramacca River. Each region must be well chosen, because sloths are solitary animals except for mating and raising young. Since two to four animals per week now have to be rescued, every place for rewilding must be well chosen. We at SABRO are happy to support such commitment.
The dog toy Fauli: a sloth that does good
Our plush sloth Fauli looks as cute as the original and is happy to help save his real counterparts. For every item sold, we at SABRO donate one euro to Monique Pool's sloth rescue station. With its long floppy arms, it is ideal for any dog, a great playmate, and a super gift for dog-owning friends.
We hope that Fauli finds many new friends and can thus do a lot of good in Suriname. And of course, Fauli is also perfectly suited for a selfie.
How do you like our Fauli? Which endangered animal species are you passionate about? Perhaps the pangolin? Let us know in the comments.
