Park rangers from the Tempisque Conservation Area rescued five sloths that were in captivity in a house located in Hojancha District, Nandayure Canton, Guanacaste Province.

According to the National System of Conservation Areas (Sinac), rangers got confidential information about the animals being taken from the wild to be treated as pets.

Sinac is the management organization in charge of all the wild areas and national parks in the country.

Upon responding to the complaint, officers found the mammals, of the Bradypus variegatus species, in captivity. Allegedly, they were put on exhibit for tourists near Carrillo Beach in Guanacaste.

The group of sloths had adults, juveniles and babies. Animal specialists suspect that the sloths were trafficked since this species is not local to the zone.

Sloths were taken to an animal rescue center where veterinarians evaluated their physical condition. The sloths will remain in the center until specialists determine if they could be reintegrated into their natural habitat.