Sloth Confiscation Update
Clarification to our supporters and collaborators:
In light of the recent publications made by The Sloth Institute, which speak directly about our organization and the government of Costa Rica, we want to clarify the following:
Kids Saving The Rainforest is a non-profit organization that has existed in the Quepos area for more than 20 years, carrying out different tasks in favor of wildlife and as a rescue center we have gone further with projects such as the Steps of Wildlife for the canton of Quepos (137 wildlife crossings installed), environmental education programs for children and our reforestation program (more than 14,000 trees planted).
Having said this, we want to clarify the following: In February of this year, the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), the entity in charge of Costa Rica's wildlife, formally requested our collaboration for the capture, transfer and subsequent rehabilitation for a group of sloths that would be confiscated in an unauthorized site in the Manuel Antonio sector, therefore, in adherence to our conservation principles, we agree with the best disposition since it is part of our work as a rescue center.
In the end, 12 sloths were delivered into custody at our rescue center, some in the category of critical patients and whose capture was carried out by competent professionals, including biologists and veterinarians.
It is important to clarify that our Rescue Center has the current permit to operate in Costa Rica, given by resolution SINAC-ACOPAC-OSRAP-RES-001-2023, which accredits us before the government authorities for such purposes.
We inform you that our rescue center also has a team of professionals, such as veterinarians, biologists and veterinary technicians who work hard to return to nature the animals that enter the center and the assertions that TSI makes where they assure that we allow tourists to feed the sloths under the figure of one-day volunteers in our rescue center is not true, because as established by law that is not allowed and our rescue center is strictly governed by current Costa Rican legislation.
To this day, the sloths continue to be in our custody in the rehabilitation process for their subsequent release and SINAC has all the documentation of this process and carries out the pertinent inspections of the case.
The fact is that KSTR has no direct or indirect responsibility for the closure of TSI and the reasons for it are solely the responsibility of SINAC, which manages the real information on the events that led to that outcome.
KSTR deeply appreciates the economic support provided by Barn Hill Preserve which operates in the USA under the legislation of that country and who constantly carries out fundraising campaigns that help us to continue with our work.
There is no doubt that we only want to do the best for wildlife and it does not seem fair that another organization that claims to care for the wildlife of Costa Rica is merciless against us for simply collaborating with the government. We are totally transparent in this situation and we know that everyone deserves to know the truth. Before issuing unfounded or ill-influenced statements and slander, please contact the SINAC office in charge of this case, which is located in Quepos-Costa Rica or through the official email acopac.osrapinfo@sinac.go.cr.
Confident that we are doing the best work in favor of wildlife, we will continue to give our best effort based on it, always counting on the support of national authorities and other national and international public and private organizations.
Kids Saving The Rainforest