Sloths in the city: unexpectedly high density of pale-throated three-toed sloths (Bradypus tridactylus) found in an urban forest patch in Paramaribo, Suriname

Abstract

In October 2012 individuals associated with the Green Heritage Fund Suriname organized a rescue of arboreal mammals displaced during deforestation of a 6.8 ha plot in northwest Paramaribo. Rescued or observed animals included 137 pale-throated three-toed sloths (Bradypus tridactylus), eight two-toed sloths (Choloepus didactylus), three Brazilian porcupines (Coendou prehensilis), and three silky anteaters (Cyclopes didactylus). In addition, two lesser anteaters (Tamandua tetradactyla) – a mother and baby – were seen but not rescued. Due to their lack of speed and inability to escape, it is likely that almost all of the pale-throated sloths in the forested plot were captured during the thirty-day period of clear-cutting. Comprising 91% of the total rescued animals, the 137 B. tridactylus included 61 males, 56 females, 15 juveniles, and five adults that could not be sexed. Data on body mass, length, and other features reveal a population of reasonably healthy but smaller animals at a population density of 20.1 animals/ha that far exceeds any previous reports for this species.