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

For a sloth living near humans, just trimming a tree can lead to death, let alone actually cutting an entire tree down.

baby sloths
The Sloth Institute Costa Rica

In addition, humans come with electric wires, cars, dogs...

baby sloths
The Sloth Institute Costa Rica

"When visiting a country with sloths, never pay to take a picture with one, hold one or pet one," Trull says.

baby sloths
The Sloth Institute Costa Rica

How can you not be drawn to species that just want to eat their leaves, relax in the sunshine and the breeze and have a good scratch?

baby sloths
The Sloth Institute Costa Rica

baby sloths
The Sloth Institute Costa Rica

baby sloths
The Sloth Institute Costa Rica

baby sloths
The Sloth Institute Costa Rica

feel good videoStray Dog Becomes the Star of a Wrestling Match

feel good storiesDad Kept a Handmade Paper Tie His Daughter Made at Age 5 for a Very Special Moment

feel good storiesThe Neighbors Who Found the Dog Had Never Met the Owner. They Were on the Same Alert List

feel good videoHigh School Band Student Goes Viral With Incredible 'Thunderstruck' Xylophone Performance

feel good videoAt 90 Years Old, James Thomas Completed His 43rd NYC Marathon, His Last One

feel good videoHe Found a Baby in a Phone Booth. Years Later, She Found Him and Calls Him Dad

feel good videoHe Was Paralyzed at 15. Then He Found a Love That Changed His Life

feel good videoHe Carried a Gas Tank Across the Graduation Stage to Honor His Father