A few weeks ago we observed two animals that typically are not around Macaw Sanctuary. We are very happy to share images of a sloth and a white faced capuccino monkey. They visited us for a few weeks and have made a temporary home in the trees and jungle of Macaw Lodge. In Costa Rica, we can observe two types of sloths: two toed (Choleopus hoffmani) and three toed (Barypus variegatus). In this special case we saw two toed. These animals are slow, and typically in the treetops, avoiding predators, searching for fruits and nuts, or just a space to rest. Sadly, deforestation and agriculture malpractice in the area, alongside urbanization and big developments have decreased the population of many sloths in different parts of the country. Thankfully, our reforestation efforts have brought about this new resident.

White faced monkeys are more frequent in touristy places such as Manuel Antonio. It is an animal known for it’s curious and fun personality, it’s lack of fear to get close to people. White faced monkeys live in the dry tropical forest, the humid forest, secondary mature forest and mangroves. You can find them all the way from Honduras to Colombia and Ecuador. They it palm fruit, guaba trees, ‘jocotes’, ‘guarumos’, ‘ceibas’ and other local trees, both seeds and fruits. They will also eat ants, crickets, butterfly larvae, bugs and other insects, even small mammals and reptiles. We are very happy to see a monkey at Macaw Lodge.