This 'Sloth Institute' Looks After Baby Sloths That Lost Their Moms

May 8, 2016

Sam Trull, co founder of the Sloth Institute in Costa Rica, has been helping sloths return to the wild since 2013.

baby sloths
The Sloth Institute Costa Rica

The Institute has three main goals:

1. RESEARCH of captive and wild sloths

2. COLLABORATION with other institutions that work with sloths around the world; and

3. EDUCATION to generate and disseminate responsible and balanced information about sloths to the public.

baby sloths
The Sloth Institute Costa Rica

"I think one of my favorite things about sloths is that they mind their own business,” Trill told the Manhattan Book Review. "I realize that the ‘circle of life’ requires all kinds of species of animals, including mischievous monkeys and carnivorous cats, and no offense to those animals that need to eat other animals to survive. But how can I not be drawn to species that just want to eat their leaves, relax in the sunshine and the breeze and have a good scratch?! In addition, they have a very curious and playful side, something most people have never and will never see, but it is definitely the most endearing thing I have ever seen."

baby sloths
The Sloth Institute Costa Rica

A special "soft" release technique is used at the Institute that allows sloths to take their time getting acclimated to the jungle before they go off on their own.

baby sloths
The Sloth Institute Costa Rica