Limon, Costa Rica and we take a walk on the wild side...

We've been to Costa Rica before, but it was on the Pacific side of the country.  The port of Limon is on the Atlantic side.  Instead of repeating rain forest, banana plantations, and zip lining excursions, we chose to go on a ship's tour to learn all about sloths.

Our tour guide, Cynthia, was an excellent guide.  Her presentation of facts about her country during the hour-long bus ride to the Aviarios del Caribe Sloth Sanctuary Rescue Center did not put anyone to sleep today.

Before we knew it, we arrived at the Sloth Sanctuary where Cynthia turned us over to the sanctuary's staff who brought us in to first meet 5 adult sloths.

This non-profit sanctuary and research facility is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and research of this slow-moving mammal with the ultimate goal of releasing them to their natural habitat. Those that cannot be released (disability or lack of essential survival skills) are provided with balanced nutrition, veterinary care, exercise, socialization with other sloths. 

I don't believe we were told the staff member's name, but we did learn all about the sloths named:

Millie

There's 2 in here....Johnny Depp (hiding)  and Tasmania

Delilah, who slept away the day

Toyota

All these sloths are permanent residents at the sanctuary because for one reason or another they would not be able to survive on their own in the wild.  We learned how sloths are solitary creatures with their only relationship being with their mother, and that relationship is only for one year as the mother educates her young one to survive before she sends the sloth out on its own.

Toyota was injured as he grabbed on to an electrical wire in the jungle and as a result suffered severe burns on one arm.  He was found in the wild and brought to the sanctuary where his arm was amputated.

Next was the room with the baby sloths, most of which had been abandoned by their mother during that first year of life or were orphaned before their year of education to survive was over.  They, too, will be permanent lifetime residents at the sanctuary, which could be 30-40 years.

Then it was time for a jungle canoe ride on the Sanctuary's grounds, where we were 6 passengers plus a driver, who pushed the canoe through the quiet waters of the Estrella River and pointed out wildlife in the jungle.

We saw iquanas, a black hawk nest, land crabs, lizards, various birds, and a few sloths way up in the trees.  Those sloths were able to return to the wild and reside in the safety of the Sanctuary's grounds.

Cynthia then took us on a short walk through the jungle where she talked about the various plants and trees.

After the hike we were treated to a nice plate of fresh papaya, pineapple, watermelon and orange slices.  A refreshing treat in the hot, humid climate of Costa Rica.

Buttercup slept peacefully among all the tourists

Then it was back on the bus for the ride back to the ship and an afternoon of relaxation on 2 deck chairs...inspired by by sloths, I guess!!

Coming up....our last port, Grand Cayman.