Boop!

Two Toed Sloth

We booked a tour directly with the Toucan Rescue Ranch, just north of the capital San Jose (we took a taxi).  This is not a zoo and its focus is the rescue and rehabilitation of many indigenous animals but particularly toucans, sloths and owls.  The animals in the enclosures, that visitors meet, are all no longer able to be released safely.  There is a large rehabilitation section closed to the public.  They work closely with the Ministry of Environment and Energy in Costa Rica.  The Ranch is a non-profit and you can visit in person or virtually.  One of the keepers was video-chatting with someone from overseas with each animal enclosure.  Our guides were very informative, one talking in Spanish and the other in English.

Three toed sloth

Look at this cute little three toed sloth – some have three toes.  Our guide told us that sloths aren’t quite as slow as perceived and their grip strength is as strong as humans (not mine, obviously).

Hershey the Tayra

This is a Tayra, an omnivorous animal belonging to the weasel family.  It was quite big and similar in size to a stoat or a cat.  They are native to central and Latin America.

Bat Falcon

Holy Raptors – a Bat Falcon!!! What a superhero – I had no idea that such a predator existed.  To my great excitement, it was spotted for the first time in Hidalgo, Texas in 2022.  Guess where my next road trip might be…  I love bats, too, and they are so very useful in our mosquito infested swamp.

There are so many types of toucans in the neotropics and many are endangered, from the pet trade and deforestation.

Tabu the Oncilla

This little wild cat would melt your heart.  It is a very rare Oncilla, about the size of a house cat.  A local farmer found what he thought was a kitten until it became obvious that it was a wild animal.  She now has a forever home in the sanctuary.  When they tested her DNA they found that it was significantly different from other Oncilla DNA.  She may be an undiscovered animal and unique to Costa Rica.  When the Ranch took over her care, they were worried when she hadn’t defecated for two days.  Someone had a lightbulb moment and put a kitty litter box in (she was being kept as a pet).  Problem solved!  She still has kitty litter in her private enclosure.

Felicia the ocelot

Felicia is a very old lady – a sixteen year old ocelot.  Like all cats she was basking in the sunshine to warm those old bones.

Spider Monkey above and below

It’s always sad to see animals behind a fence but they were obviously content in their forever homes. It was an intimate experience seeing animals that are truly exotic and many endangered. The tour fee helps not just these animals but those that are able to be released into the wild again. Costa Rican residents pay much less and have a learning opportunity about saving their indigenous animals. The grounds were lovely with flowers and wildlife. Teddy managed to get this shot of a hummingbird.

Broad Billed Hummingbird

Please do not copy, download or reproduce any of the photographs. Most were taken by my husband. Enjoy!

Advertisement