7 Ways to be a Responsible Sloth Tourist
By Deanna Fisher, TSI Marketing Director
Travelers from all over the world visit Costa Rica for it’s amazing scenery and vast wildlife. Spotting a variety of species is a highlight for anyone’s vacation with many people planning their trip around the opportunity to see one of earth’s most fascinating creatures up close, the sloth. Besides taking a tour of the National park or visiting a responsible animal rescue center, we know that people will come across sloths (and other wildlife) spontaneously. This is often the most exciting way to see a wild animal but there are a few things you need to remember to keep your vacation responsible and guilt free.
SAY NO TO SLOTH SELFIES
Being touched by humans causes sloths extreme stress! Never pay to touch, feed, or take a photo with a sloth. Sloths are wild animals! They can bite, scratch, and transmit diseases.
WHISPER
Loud noises are very stressful to sloths! Keep your voices low when around them and try not to make sudden movements or loud noises, including music and machinery.
NO LOITERING
Once you’ve had a good view of the sloth, please move along so the sloth can also get going. Sloths freeze when they are stressed. If you are too close to them, they will become unable to move and go about their business.
NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY
Bright lights are blinding to sloths, especially at night. Please only take photos WITHOUT flash.
DO NOT SPRAY BUG SPRAY OR SMOKE NEAR SLOTHS
Sloths have very sensitive lungs! Pesticides, bug sprays and smoke pollute the air. If you must use bug spray or smoke, walk away from all sloths so that they don’t breathe in the toxic fumes.
DRIVE SLOWLY & CAREFULLY
Sloths will cross roads to get to the other side, but they are no match for your vehicle. They need a lot of time to cross! Help sloths cross safely by stopping traffic & keeping people away.
SUPPORT ECO-FRIENDLY LOCAL BUSINESSES
Sloths need trees, clean water, and a healthy, connected forest to survive. Anything you do to protect the planet, helps protect sloths.
ABOUT THE SLOTH INSTITUTE COSTA RICA
www.TheSlothInstituteCostaRica.org The mission of The Sloth Institute Costa Rica is to protect and enhance the welfare and conservation of sloths through research, education, and conservation programs. TSI is located in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. For more information please email [email protected]. To donate visit tsi.charity.org. Let’s be social @TheSlothInstitute.