The sloth, a symbol from Costa Rica to the world
If we talk about Costa Rica, it is clear that the first idea that comes to mind is some aspect related to nature. For this reason, Costa Rica is known worldwide for its natural wealth as it has 169 Protected Areas, which represent 26% of the national territory and around 5% of the planet’s biodiversity.
Costa Rican sloths are mainly found in lowland and mountainous tropical forests. He represents Costa Ricans for his peaceful, calm and carefree behavior; That is why the country is associated with this animal and promotes Costa Rican tourism worldwide.
Official symbol by law in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has two of the six species of sloths that inhabit our planet. The two-toed sloth (choleopus hoffman) and the three-toed sloth (barypus variegatus) were named national symbols on July 14, 2021 after the presentation and approval of project 22.167.
The two-toed sloth and the three-toed sloth are world-renowned figures of Costa Rica, along with those are the white-tailed deer, the manatee and the yigüirro as symbols of Costa Rica’s wildlife.
Benefits available through the Law
- The restoration of river protection areas through the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation
- Rescue of species that are illegally in captivity by the National System of Conservation Areas (Sinac)
- Electrical supply companies must implement measures to reduce damage or injuries caused to power lines
- Private companies may also develop initiatives that promote the conservation of sloths and their habitat
Sloth rescue centers
Costa Rica has centers dedicated to rescuing sloths that have been run over, electrocuted, attacked by other animals or cases in which they have been orphaned from a very young age because their mothers abandoned them or died from any of those same causes. Some of them can return to their natural habitat, but others will always have to live in a controlled space. Some examples of these conservation centers are: Kids saving the rainforest (Naranjito, Quepos), Sloth sanctuary of Costa Rica (Penshurst, Cahuita, Limón), Rescate animal zoo ave (La Garita, Alajuela), The toucan rescue ranch (San Jocesito , San Isidrio Heredia) and the La Marina Wildlife Rescue Center (La Marina, San Carlos)
Inspiration for the scientific and robotics area
Professor Magnus Egerstedt of the Georgia Institute of Technology in the United States was inspired by the sloth during a vacation in Costa Rica. This is how he started the SlothBot project with other teachers and students. The SlothBot is a robot designed to monitor climate change.
The device, like these animals, is characterized by being extremely slow, which allows it to consume very little energy, and it also obtains it from solar panels.