A Sloth Named Velcro

Gr 5 Up—Spanish journalist Ana Salceda takes viewers to Panama, Costa Rica, and Colombia to learn about the plight of the world's sloths. Salceda learned much about the mammals when she ended up rescuing an orphaned baby sloth, which she named Velcro. The home movies and photos of her with Velcro, as well as the story of its eventual release back into the wild, are quite touching. Salceda's experience with Velcro compelled her to learn about saving these animals. The excellent quality video, coupled with informative narration, provides viewers with a glimpse into a world that is enlightening, inspiring, and at times quite moving. Myths about these fascinating creatures are dispelled (they sleep far less than previously thought). Efforts by various people to save them from being hit by cars are depicted, and the perils that sloths face from habitat loss and the illegal wildlife trade are discussed. Facilities and individuals involved in rescue efforts are shown along with the services they provide.