Officials from the Zoo Ave Wildlife Rescue Center of Costa Rica recently communicated the sad passing of Simona, a female adult sloth that suffered five severe electrical discharges that charred most of her bristly coat and forced veterinarians to amputate most of her limbs. Simona was about to be fitted with a special prosthesis; alas, she could not withstand her extensive injuries any longer.

As previously reported in the Costa Rica Star, Simona came to the attention of wildlife rescue officials at Zoo Ave after she tried to hang from high-voltage lines in Tilaran, province of Guanacaste. Concerned neighbors took care of Simona initially until she was rushed to Zoo Ave in La Garita, province of Alajuela.

The sloth was in critical condition, but she was virtually brought back to life from electrocution thanks to the expert and loving care of Zoo Ave’s team of biologists and wildlife vets. She lost her lower limbs and one upper limb, along with her precious toe claws. There was a lot of hopeful expectation after Simona’s initial surgery, which lasted several hours. Here is part of the initial report:

Upon seeing Simona, Zoo Ave rescue staff knew that she would never return to her normal habitat in Costa Rica –if she even survived in the first place.

Simona has required careful attention round-the-clock, but she surprised everyone by being able to feed on her own after a week. Zoo Ave officials placed her in a basket and took her out into the forest, where she felt better despite the fact that she may never be able to climb a tree again. Still, the veterinarians and biologists who cared for this sloth have confirmed that she will survive.

On September 12^th, Zoo Ave officials, along with scientists from the United States, started working on a prosthesis in an attempt to give Simona a final chance at quality of life, which would have been confined to the rescue center’s own forest for rehabilitating abandoned and abused wildlife animals in Costa Rica.

A Love for Wildlife

The work of Zoo Ave is nothing less than amazing. Just a couple of days ago, they prevented the accidental electrocution of yet another female sloth that hung from high-voltage lines that were fortunately insulated. Zoo Ave rescuers, along with a man from Cartago, were able to remove the sloth and bring her to La Garita, where she is being treated for assorted illnesses.

In many areas of Costa Rica, arboreal species are at great risk of electrocution. A previous article published in the Costa Rica Star explained that

“…the electrical power grid and infrastructure pose a serious danger to monkeys, sloths, martillas and other arboreal creatures that either suffer tragic deaths or crippling injuries. According to two organizations dedicated to raising awareness and finding solutions to these grim situations, the statistics are ghastly.”

Two days ago, Zoo Ave officials delivered sad news about a Puma jaguarundi that had been struck by a vehicle in Nicoya. The Costa Rica Star reported on this incident, and Zoo Ave officials were confident that they would travel to Guanacaste to free the wild feline in its habitat. Regrettably, the wild cat had internal abdominal injuries that did not become manifest until two days after the rescue. These injuries would claim the life of the jaguarundi.

Zoo Ave staff members are naturally very afflicted by the loss of wildlife they are committed to protect, but their love for the wild animals that make Costa Rica a natural wonder is boundless. They will continue on with their noble mission, and thus it is important to remember that Zoo Ave’s main source of revenue to fund their noble work is their ticket booth. This place is highly recommended for anyone to visit; kids in particular love learning about, and interacting with, the animals. Visiting one of the many sodas and restaurants in La Garita that specialize in ethnic Costa Rican cuisine after touring Zoo Ave has become a 21st century family tradition.