Help Sami help the Sloths of Costa Rica.

Samantha Bell Start Date: May 19, 2016 - End Date: Nov 18, 2016
  • Costa Rica

My Travel Story

by: Samantha Bell Start Date: May 19, 2016 - End Date: Nov 18, 2016
Hey Everyone, thanks so much for stopping by!!

I have always had a love of all animals (couldnt kill a fly kind of love) but something about the peaceful zen faces of sloths really made me fall head over heels. I am 26 and would really love to go and work with these magnificent creatures before I get any older as I really need to be thinking about babies and mortgages with my partner soon!! I have found a fantastic rescue sanctuary in Costa Rica who is crying out for funds and volunteers. Costa rica animal rescue not only take care of orphaned and injured sloths but are also home to howler monkeys, Capuchins, spider monkeys, Kinkajous, marmosets all types of birds and any other animals in need.

More about the sanctuary..

http://www.costaricaanimalrescuecenter.org/
The sanctuary has outgrown its current residence and is currently raising funds for a new home, any additional donations I recieve will go direct to them to help them achieve this.

My Role and Why I Need Your Help

I currently work at the Cats Protection League here in England so I am used to getting my hand dirty (litterally!!). I generally work with 35 cats a day; feeding, cleaning, medicating, grooming, socialising so am hoping to apply these skills to the sloths and other residents.

My other duties during my stay will include:

Preparing food for the animals

Feeding the howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys, sloths, birds (Scarlet Macaws, parrots, owls, and others), olingo, and kinkajous

Cleaning animal enclosures

Cleaning the common areas

Giving extra attention to the orphaned babies (two sloths and currently Feluco, a young howler monkey)

General tidying of the Center (sweeping pathways, etc)

Preparing toys and stimulating exercises for the animals

Caring for the resident dogs

Assisting with communications/public awareness


Through my volunteer service, I will be aiding this fantastic organization in helping to create a safe and natural environment for the animals that call this place home. Many of the animals have been too badly injured or too domesticated to every be released into the wild which is why enrichment is so important.
 

This opportunity means more to me than anything and truly is a once in a lifetime thing. I have never done anything like this before but the burning inside me has not subsided so I KNOW this is something I HAVE to do.

To get to Costa Rica obviously costs money, this is where I am looking for a little help! The fee that I pay to the sanctuary to cover my accommodation and food costs is paid straight to the sanctuary (no travel companies) and will also help to fund the centre. I am also trying to raise money to help with my flight costs (anything extra will go direct to the sanctuary). I think about going to Costa rica every single day and would love to put a little mark on the world by helping the animals in any way I can. I sincerely hope you can donate anything you have spare and help me to help the sloths of Costa Rica..

Thank you so much for reading my story and if you can for donating anything you can.

Sami Xx
  • Costa Rica