A Month Of Recovery | March ‘26

Following his rescue in February, Tango has now spent the past month recovering at the rescue center, and we’re happy to share an update on his progress.

When Tango first arrived, the veterinary team carried out a full clinical examination to understand the extent of his injuries. They discovered a large botfly wound on his back that had become severely infected, with a significant amount of pus present. After removing the parasite, the wound left behind a deep cavity in the tissue that required careful cleaning and treatment. Thankfully, no additional botflies were found.

The team also identified several wounds on both of his hind legs, with the right leg more severely affected than the left. These injuries were consistent with bite wounds, and interestingly, there were no injuries on his front limbs. Tango also had ulcers on his tongue, which can sometimes occur after stressful or traumatic events, or due to dehydration.

Despite these injuries, there were encouraging signs from the start. His heart and lung function appeared normal, and perhaps most reassuring of all, Tango showed a strong appetite almost immediately. As soon as he was safely placed in his transport box, he began eating leaves- always a positive sign in sloth rehabilitation.

Based on the pattern of his injuries, the veterinary team believes it is very likely Tango was attacked by a dog before he was found. Unfortunately, dogs represent a growing urban threat to sloths. When sloths are forced to the ground, whether to cross open areas, move between trees, or descend to defecate, they become extremely vulnerable. Even a brief encounter with a dog can cause serious injuries.

At the same time, Tango’s condition is also a reminder that life in the wild can be challenging even without human threats. Parasites such as botflies, infections, injuries, and disease are all part of the natural pressures wild animals face every day. While many individuals manage to survive these challenges, others can quickly become weakened.

This is why having a rescue center nearby can make an enormous difference. In Tango’s case, we were incredibly fortunate: he was found in time, transported quickly, and able to receive veterinary treatment before his condition became life-threatening. Sadly, this isn’t always the case. Many injured animals in the wild are never found, or help arrives too late.

Over the past month, Tango has been steadily improving under the care of the rescue center team. One particularly encouraging sign is that he has gained weight since arriving, which tells us that he is eating well and gradually regaining his strength.

The team has also begun discussing the next stage of his rehabilitation. At one point, there was consideration of placing Tango with the juvenile sloths at the center. However, he is significantly larger than the young animals currently in care. Because of this, the current plan may be to release him directly back into the wild once his wounds have fully healed and the veterinary team is confident he is strong enough to return to the forest.

For now, Tango continues to rest, heal, and rebuild his strength under close monitoring. We are incredibly grateful that he was found in time, and that after such a difficult experience, he is showing such encouraging signs of recovery.