Urban Sloths: Public Knowledge, Opinions, and Interactions

Abstract

Simple SummaryFree-range sloths living in an urban environment are rare. In this study, opinions, attitudes, and interactions with a population of Bradypus variegatus were investigated through short, structured interviews and informal, opportunistic observations of people in the pubic square where the sloths live. A questionnaire was applied to people in the square where the sloths live. Opinions about population size differed greatly and younger people were concerned as to whether the square was an appropriate place for them. Some human-sloth interactions showed the consequences of a lack of biological knowledge. Sloths are strictly folivorous and are independent of human sources of food. Apparently, sloths are indifferent to humans. Despite the good intentions of people, there are many misconceptions about the behaviour and needs of sloths, which causes low wellbeing for the animals. These results demonstrate that actions in environmental education of the public could be beneficial for sloths.AbstractFree-range sloths living in an urban environment are rare. In this study, the opinions, attitudes, and interactions with a population of Bradypus variegatus were investigated through short, structured interviews of people in the pubic square where the sloths live, in addition to informal, opportunistic observations of human-sloth interactions. A questionnaire was applied to people in the square where the sloths reside, and informal, opportunistic observations of human-sloth interactions were made. 95% of respondents knew of the sloths’ existence in the square and 87.8% liked their presence. Opinions about population size differed greatly and younger people were concerned as to whether the square was an appropriate place for them. Some human-sloth interactions showed the consequences of a lack of biological knowledge. People initiated all sloth-human interactions. The fact that sloths are strictly folivorous has avoided interactions with humans and, consequently, mitigated any negative impacts of the human-animal interaction on their wellbeing. These results demonstrate that, while there is a harmonious relationship between people and sloths, actions in environmental education of the square’s public could be beneficial for the sloths.

Hematology and serum biochemistry of free-range brown-throated sloths in two urban areas in Brazil

“…Alternatively, liver overload as such as toxic dietary compounds (e.g., highest ingesting of mature Ficus leaves) could elicit the same metabolic responses in both TO and RT brown-throated sloths. Indeed, some of us have observed a high intake of mature leaves by TO and RT sloths [ 6 , 19 ].…”

“…Changes in AST, ALT, and ALP concentrations may occur because to chronic toxicity of secondary compounds in the animals’ diet. Brown-throated sloths from TO and RT eat leaves of Ficus [ 6 , 21 ], which is only one genus of tree available in the squares. The leaves of Ficus sp.…”

“…As a result of cultural aspects and the lack of management [ 6 ], in some regions, there are subpopulations of brown-throated sloths that live isolated in small wooded areas, often within urban squares [ 6 , 7 ]. Human activity brings other threats to brown-throated sloths, such as electrocution, risk of being run over, and attack by domestic animals in urban environments [ 8 ].…”

Redes sociais no contexto da conservação de mamíferos terrestres: conectando a dimensão humana ao universo digital

“…O grupo das preguiças se enquadra no efeito comum para grandes mamíferos em relação à seu papel enquanto espécie carismática (DUCARME et al, 2012). De todo modo, estudos que avaliaram a relação entre pessoas e preguiças encontraram alto nível de tolerância e apreço pela espécie (PEREIRA et al, 2018). Além disso, preguiças são amplamente conhecidas e embutidas no imaginário coletivo, principalmente, por serem relacionadas à traços da personalidade humana por seu comportamento vagaroso (GREANEY et al, 2016).…”

“…(REZENDE et al, 2018). Para a preguiça, encontramos sua representação dominada por uma visão positiva, muito provavelmente ligada à boa recepção que a espécie possui em interações reais (PEREIRA et al, 2018) ou a identificação da espécie com traços de personalidade exclusivamente humanos (GREANEY et al, 2016). Todavia, temos ciência de que grandes mamíferos ou animais mais próximos filogeneticamente a seres humanos atraem maior atenção pública por carisma e por despertar sentimentos positivos na população (GUNNTHORSDOTTIR, 2001;BATT, 2009;HOME et al, 2009;DUCARME et al, 2012), o que deve ser sempre levado em consideração ao analisar a representação online dessas espécies.…”