Sloth Conservation and Post-Release Monitoring in Manaus

Over the past decades, Manaus (Brazil) has undergone rapid and unplanned urban expansion, leading to severe habitat loss and fragmentation. This process has intensified threats to urban wildlife, including roadkills, electrocution, dog attacks, disease transmission, and illegal trade. Among the most affected species are two  sloths: the three-toed sloth Bradypus tridactylus and the two-toed sloth Choloepus didactylus, both frequently rescued within the city.

Rescued individuals receive veterinary care at the Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres (Wildlife Rehabilitation Center) before being reintroduced into forest fragments in an urban area.  Brazilian environmental legislation requires post-release monitoring to assess survival and adaptation.

This project investigates movement patterns, habitat use, and survival rates of rehabilitated sloths released iat the Universidade Federal do Amazonas. Individuals are equipped with GPS-VHF radio collars, allowing long-term spatial monitoring.

Using spatial ecology and GIS analyses, the study evaluates home range size, movement rates, habitat selection, and the influence of rainfall on activity patterns. The results will provide robust scientific data to guide urban wildlife management, improve release protocols, and strengthen long-term conservation strategies for sloths in the central Amazon.