Target: Laurentino Cortizo, President of Panama
Goal: Protect pygmy sloths from vanishing from our planet.
With less than one hundred surviving individuals, the pygmy three-toed sloth is one of the world’s most endangered mammals, according to a detailed survey. Their population decreased from over 500 in 2001 to only about 70 animals today.
The Isla Escudo de Veraguas, a remote island off Panama’s Caribbean coast, is home to this critically endangered species. It is difficult to imagine a more charming creature than the pygmy sloth, which is about half the size of a cat and entirely helpless against the evil of humankind. Not only does habitat destruction threaten their valuable lives, but also local fishermen who reportedly eat sloths instead of their catches. Because of the fishermen, this species will likely find its tragic end in just a few more fishing seasons.
Many groups tried to find a solution for this shocking problem, including the leaders of the indigenous Ngäbe-Buglé. They have worked with organizations to educate people about the importance of preserving the pygmy sloths, while other local and international charities have donated equipment to establish a permanent presence of park rangers to protect the animals. Sadly, this program has not yet been implemented and the sloths are still killed.
The park ranger program is the most efficient way of keeping this species from extinction. The President of Panama must take action to encourage the National Environmental Authority of Panama (ANAM) to take a leadership role in managing the local and international investors who support saving the sloths.
The ANAM has to do everything in its power to safeguard these precious animals. The existence of this wonderful creature rests with them, and its extinction will be on their watch. Sign this petition to urge the Panamanian authorities to protect pygmy sloths now.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Mr. Cortizo,
I am worried about the current status of three-fingered pygmy sloths on Isla Escudo Veraguas, Panama. This island is the only place that this rare species calls its home. From about 500 animals in 2001, less than 100 remain today. It is horrifying to know that this precious species is on the verge of extinction, not only because of human intrusion and habitat degradation but also because local fishermen are eating the sloths instead of the fish they catch.
Numerous groups and organizations tried to preserve the pygmy sloths. Additionally, local and international charities have donated equipment to establish a permanent presence of park rangers to protect the sloths. Sadly, this program has not yet been implemented and the sloth killing continues.
The park ranger program is the most efficient way of saving the pygmy sloth from extinction. You must take action to encourage the National Environmental Authority of Panama (ANAM) to take a leadership role in managing the local and international charities that invest in saving the sloths.
You and the ANAM have to do everything humanly possible to safeguard these precious animals. The existence of these magnificent creatures rests with you and their extinction will be your fault. Provide immediate protection of the pygmy sloths now.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: WikiImages
Don’t these idiots understand that if you kill off an entire species that you NO longer have it. Then what will they eat
Just like killing the big cats, rhinos elephants so men can get it up. Then what will they use-toothpicks
I agree. It’s infuriating ! Humans are a scourge on this planet. Third world peasants, first world corporations and ranchers and hunters, etc. Selfish, heartless A-HOLES!
Did you actually ask “…and then what will they EAT?????????”
How about the overpopulated human-ruined world stop eating animals altogether? We MUST switch to plant-based, there is no argument. It’s our insatiable appetite (in one form or another) that is driving everything to extinction.
Save our animals start right here
These precious innocent animals deserve to live in our world. How could anyone destroy such innocence? Please save them …
Fight the good fight
CH, no they do understand but don’t give a damn. If they don’t understand it’s because they are so stupid they can’t put two simple logical thoughts together to arrive at a logical and moral conclusion. This is exactly why there is a need for the revival of the ARM (ANIMAL RIGHTS MILITIA)!!!!
I never knew there was such a thing as ARM. All this time I was hoping there could be something like that for all animals. It would so wonderful. If I didnt have a family and could travel, I would love to be a part of it. Animals deserve better than what humanity is doing to them.
Leave these poor babies alone. So tired of their habitat being taken away from them or stupid people that just have to have their pictures taken with terrified wildlife. ETC is wrong with you.
Wake up people! Have we learned nothing throughout the years? So sad that we can still be so stupid.
Agree with all the previous comments. There is no reason to destroy the pygmy sloths. The park rangers would be a welcome site to protect these unusual animals from extinction. No one has to eat them….what is wrong with these fishermen? Too many animals on the brink of extinction in this world and humans are the cause. It needs to stop!
This whole situation sounds a bit effed, really…. fishermen eating land animals, when they catch fish!? Is the fish poisonous? It also sounds like a typical african situation… the Gov just ignores it due to ignorance, stupidity and profiteering somewhere along the line. Shame on you Panama! 🙁 Where is the UN for animals in this case. Fine them for being careless and negligent with their wildlife.
The truth is that Panama has a President that has failed to address the fact that Sloths will soon be extinct. These are such beautiful creatures. It truly is amazing how a Man can become a Leader of a Country and then fail at the most simplest of tasks.
I HOPE THESE PEOPLE GET EXACTLY WHAT THEY DESERVE-STOP FUCKING BREEDING PEOPLE PEOPLE!!!! THE ANTHROPOCENE IS KILLING OUR BERY PLANET!!
Anyone caught killing these poor sloths should be executed.
Humans who kill and eat (!!!!????) these precious creatures must be EXECUTED on sight!!! No MERCY on this human scum! Humans are the most cynical, sadistic, psychopathic and evil species on Earth!! This must END NOW!! Provide immediate protection of the pygmy sloths now. These animals don’t belong to Panama Only. These pygmy sloths are the Legacy and Heritage of our entire planet, and all humans living here. It’s PANAMA’s obligation to do what is in your power to save these animals!!!
I AGREE WITH ALL YOU SAY – BUT WHO STOPS THOSE IGNORANT SADISTIC MURDERERS FROM DOING IT! AUTHORITIES ARE BUSY
DOING SOMETHING ‘MORE IMPORTANT’ THAN WORRYING ABOUT THE FAUNA, FOR WHICH THEY JUST DON’T GIVE A DAMN! BUNCH OF DESPICABLE COWARDS, THAT’S WHAT THEY ARE …
Heartless bastards …
Dear Mr. Cortizo, Why are you allowing this? PROTECT THEM…NEVER DESTROY GOD’S CREATURES. PLEASE GET LAWS IN PLACE TO PROTECT THEM AND THEN ENFORCE THE LAWS! MAXIMUM CHARGES AND FINES. YOU ARE ON THE BRINK OF EXTINCTION OF THIS INNOCENT CREATURES. YOU WILL BE TO BLAME. DO YOUR JOB!!!
Fishermen are eating them…GREEDY OLD MAN DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT. EAT VEGTABLES, FRUIT ETC.
ALL WILDLIFE, OF EVERY TYPE, MUST BE PROTECTED FROM THE ‘BAIT AND MURDER’ PUNKS, THRILL KILLER TROPLY PUNKS. THEY ALL SHOULD BE FORCED TO HUNT EACH OTHER. THEN IT WOULD BE FAIR…IN MY OPINION
The pygmy sloth is a Beautiful unique species as so many are. They deserve the same protection & the same consideration of life. I don’t know if signing these petitions actually does that much good but I will continue to sign them. I will continue to pray that the people that are eating them realize they can actually eat their fish or plants. Should Extinction take place what are these fishermen and others going to eat after that, what’s the next thing to go extinct, this is a human issue it’s called being greedy,without soul &
unconscionable.
Agree all comments.
These people should be beaten to death.
Get off your ass & do your job! Panama is based on tourism in a large part, STOP the destruction of it! Take away their boats and lock them up, get your environmental agency to put in strict guidelines with severe fines and jail time! To sit on your ass & do nothing would be a Morally & Ethically Bankrupt Decision on Your Part! This is at a critical point, Get Going!
Some things in life are OFF-LIMITS — this is one of them — they, like us, deserve to LIVE — we have much food to choose from — we NEED NOT consume these sweet Animals — moreover, SLOTHS serve an important purpose in our eco-system — we MUST PROTECT our SLOTHS.