In the lush jungles of Costa Rica, one furry, four-legged hero is making an unexpected but invaluable contribution to sloth conservation. Meet Keysha, the world’s first sloth detective dog. Trained to sniff out sloth poop, Keysha plays a vital role in the world’s first-ever sloth census, helping researchers track the elusive creatures that are notoriously hard to spot in their dense jungle habitat.
Sloths are difficult to study due to their slow, camouflaged nature, but thanks to Keysha’s remarkable abilities, researchers can gather essential data about sloth populations. This data helps conservationists monitor the health of sloth populations and take action to protect them. Keysha’s ability to locate sloth droppings is a game-changer, as it provides scientists with critical information about the animals’ location and stress levels.
Keysha’s team includes Dr. Rebecca Cliffe, a leading sloth biologist, and Tamara Ávila Atagua, an award-winning zoologist dedicated to building life-saving bridges for sloths to safely navigate the landscape. Together with their all-female film crew, they capture rare sloth behaviors and apply cutting-edge science to enhance conservation efforts.
This pioneering work has shed light on rarely observed sloth behaviors and has opened new doors for sloth protection, combining scientific research with a love for adventure and a touch of humor.
The efforts of these incredible women, along with the help of Keysha, are transforming sloth conservation, one sniff at a time.