Simona, an adult female Bradypodidae sloth that was electrocuted when she touched high-voltage lines in Tilaran, province of Alajuela, is showing great improvements. Officials at Zoo Ave, Costa Rica’s premier wildlife rescue center, explained that Simona suffered five major electrical discharges and extensive burns that required two major surgeries. You can watch Simona’s surgical procedure here.

The three-toed female sloth lost her lower limbs as a result of the electrocution. She also lost an upper limb, which means she is down to three injured toes. According to Zoo Ave staff, Simona was very close to death, but she seems to be a survivor. She was actually playful right after her first surgery.

Zoo Ave spokesman mentioned that although Simona’s fur was charred from the electrocution, there is a chance that some of it will grow back. Her prognosis, however, is far from ideal. Her left upper limb required an amputation, and she has a severe burn near her mouth. 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.

Located in La Garita, Zoo Ave has a forest area for convalescent and recovering wild animals that are not able to return to their habitats. This is where Simona will live from now on.

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.”

A more recent article indicated that electrocutions of howler monkeys in Costa Rica are increasing, despite the efforts of organizations such as Nosara Wildlife Rescue and Salve Monos. The problem, however, is not the power lines:

“Most of the power lines in the Playa Guiones area have been exchanged for the insulated type but now the monkeys and other arboreal wildlife are using them as a direct route into the deadly, uninsulated transformers.

There are many areas throughout Nosara where mangos are growing right into uninsulated transformers and power lines. It’s like a dinner bell, calling the monkeys to seek out the delicious mango fruit, but they use the power lines as a replacement for the vines that used to grow before the electric lines were installed, and these direct them straight into the deadly transformers.”