Threats to the brown-throated three-toed sloth Bradypus variegatus Schinz, 1825 (Pilosa: Bradypodidae) in an urban environment in State of Paraíba, Brazil

Abstract

The brown-throated three-toed sloth Bradypus variegates Schinz, 1825 (Pilosa: Bradypodidae) is an arboreal mammal with wide distribution in the neotropical region. However, the presence of this species in urban environments has attracted attention due to the threats that this environment can offer to this species. In this context, the present study investigated the impacts over brown-throated three toed sloth’s population living in an urban area of Rio Tinto, Paraíba, as well as, analyze data from Wildlife Screening Center (Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres - CETAS) and the conservation units of Paraíba, to understanding threats and main factors that led individuals to these institutions. From 2011 to 2014 a sloth’s population was studied at João Pessoa Square in Rio Tinto. From 2010 to 2015 was analyzed data from CETAS, Guaribas Biological Reserve (GBR), Barra do Rio Mamanguape Environmental Protection Area (BRM-EPA) and Arruda Câmara Municipal Zoobotanical Park (AC-MZP).The place that most registered the receipt of sloths was CETAS (65.5%), followed by GBR (17.8%), AC-MZP (15%), and BRM-EPA (1.8%). Offspring were significantly more impacted than adults, because were recorded highest number of injured and dead individuals in CETAS. Offspring not survived also at João Pessoa Square in Rio Tinto (urban environment) until the reproductive phase, due to falls or the rejection of their mothers during parental care. The urbanized matrix causes changes in the parental care of the mother sloths, implying the early abandonment of their offspring. In addition, inadequate introductions of sloths at João Pessoa Square causing malnutrition in individuals due to the lack of insufficient nutrients available, and electric shocks caused by high voltage wires, resulting in death or limb amputation of adult sloths. To minimize these impacts, urban environments needs to be controlled, through tree pruning, prohibit the introductions of sloths and increase the diversity of plant species in this area.

What, where, and how: a spatiotemporally explicit analysis of the drivers of habitat loss within the range of maned three‐toed sloths (Bradypus torquatus and Bradypus crinitus)

“…Finally, the increase and establishment of land-use drivers of habitat loss can also lead to several other conflicts related to the presence or proximity of humans and their infrastructure, where arboreal animals, including sloths, can be persecuted by domestic dogs (Vaughan et al 2007) or fall victim to roadkill (Ferreguetti et al 2014), electrocution (Pedrosa et al 2021), and illegal animal trade (Carder et al 2018).…”