When a dam in French Guyana made the river Sinnamary
its banks, the
water started flooding the rainforest. Forest animals were forced
into
the trees. Conservationists helplessly watched the water level
.
When it
threatened
even the trees, the French government and the company
responsible for
the dam agreed
money for a rescue. A team of 40
French vets tried
as many animals as possible. They used speedboats
the animals and darts to make them temporarily unconscious. In all, they
managed
5,000 creatures. Animals that were unable to climb trees, such as
rodents, were saved first. They were so happy
away from the water they
didn't mind
handled by the vets. Monkeys were more difficult
: although most monkeys can't stand
wet, these ones preferred drowning to
travelling in a boat with a vet. The vets couldn't prevent some monkeys from
into the river and then they had to swim after them. Sloths were equally
uncooperative. They wouldn't let the vets
them down the trees without
anaesthetised first. The animals were later released into the safety of
French Guyana's first national park. They seem to enjoy
in their new
home. But do they remember running for their lives from the advancing water? And
do they regret being made
their old surroundings?
