Why I love the Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica

Sometimes in life, you have an experience that has a tremendous impact on you and touches a special place in your heart. The experience forever changes you. For me, one such experience took place at the Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica in April of 2013, when I spent time there as a sloth care volunteer. And I was further inspired during a second visit there in July of this year.

The Sloth Sanctuary's learning center

I have loved animals my whole life. So much so that I pursued a career with animals and, for 15 years, I have cared for dolphins. Currently, I work as a Senior Marine Mammal Trainer at the National Aquarium. I love my work and am passionate about sharing these incredible animals with our guests so they might be inspired to help conserve our world’s oceans. I consider caring for animals and educating others about them to be my calling.

 

As a professional dedicated to the animals in my care, I sometimes seek inspiration outside of my own field. One life-altering day, I saw a television special on the Sloth Sanctuary, which shared the story of sanctuary founder Judy Avey-Arroyo and her rescue work with the sloths in Costa Rica.

This short television program had me from the start. Judy’s story was incredibly moving. Here was a woman who dedicated her life to animals in need. It was easy to see even through the television screen that she had a gift for nurturing these fragile rescued sloths. And she chose to alter the course of her life to do exactly that.

I really wanted to meet Judy, and to see her sanctuary in person, so I enrolled in their volunteer program. My application expressed my admiration of the sanctuary’s good work, and my sincere desire to volunteer for a wonderful cause. Happily, my application was accepted!

The sanctuary was everything I believed it would be, and so much more. It is rare to find people so passionate and enthusiastic toward their cause. Judy and her team work tirelessly to ensure each sloth receives the care, enrichment, and attention necessary to heal and thrive.

A Bradypus sloth forages for Cecropia leaves

Meeting and working with Judy, her incredible daughter Ursula, and the rest of her family and team was such an honor. Mere words cannot express just how touching it was to see them in action working with the sloths, treating each one like he or she was the most precious creature who ever lived. They pour their heart and soul into the care of each sloth. And when one doesn’t make it, they mourn.

Meeting Judy and Ursula in April 2013

My experiences during my first visit to the sanctuary inspired me so much that I did several presentations on the sanctuary's efforts at local schools near where I live. It was so neat to see the kids get excited about sloths and the rainforest.

The kids did rainforest-themed artwork and asked lots of questions about sloths

It was a dream come true to return to the sanctuary a few weeks ago. My experiences during both my visits were profoundly moving. There are simply no words to adequately express the difference these people are making in the lives of sloths. But I will try to find some of the right words.

• What is the Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica?

The Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica is located on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, near the coast. The property is on 320 acres of tropical lowland rainforest along the Estrella River.

The Sloth Sanctuary offices, gift shop, and inn

The sanctuary is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and, when possible, the release of orphaned and injured sloths. They also enthusiastically support research focused on better understanding sloth biology and behavior as well as discovering ways to preserve their rainforest habitats. They also educate both the local people of Costa Rica and the world about these enigmatic creatures.

The sanctuary, now a world-renowned sloth rescue center, would not exist had it not been for dedicated animal lovers Judy Avey-Arroyo and her husband Luis Arroyo. The Arroyos initially purchased the current sanctuary property in 1974 with a plan to eventually retire there. They decided to protect the land within a government-run program as a wildlife refuge. In 1989, they began a bird watching tour business where guests viewed a large variety of bird species along the river aboard a large pontoon boat. After a 7.6 magnitude earthquake changed the course of the river on the property, they had to discontinue the tours. They then developed a small bed and breakfast on the property.

In 1992, everything changed when Judy and Luis had a visit from the children of a neighbor. The reason for the visit was to seek help for a tiny infant three-fingered sloth who was found near an adult sloth who had been killed by a car. The children knew the Arroyos were passionate about animals and would be able to help.

Judy and Luis took in the tiny sloth and began calling around for advice to local zoos and wildlife rescue centers, which were few and far between at the time. The Arroyos discovered that little was known about sloth care and their search turned up empty handed. So they decided to try and help the little sloth as best they could. They gained some helpful insight through observations of the sloths on their property. Their efforts were successful and the little sloth made it. They named this special sloth Buttercup. To this day, Buttercup thrives and lives at the sanctuary.

Buttercup, July 2016

Once word got around that the Arroyos successfully helped a sloth, people started calling. Soon, there were several needy sloths in the care of the Arroyos. These experiences taught Judy and Luis of their calling at this point in their lives. They were meant to help in the plight of injured and orphaned sloths.

In 1997, this special corner of Costa Rica, within the loving arms of the Arroyos and under the watchful eye of Buttercup, became an authorized rescue center. The sanctuary and the Arroyo family endured the difficult loss of dear Luis in 2011, but they dedicated themselves to continuing their important work in his memory.

• Helping those who cannot help themselves

Today, the Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica has a reputation for excellence both in Costa Rica and around the world. Because of their vast experience and the importance they place on animal welfare, they are considered experts in their field.

There are six known species of sloths in the world, and all are found exclusively in Central and South America. Of these, four are three-fingered sloths (of the genus Bradypus) and two are two-fingered sloths (of the genus Choloepus). I used the term, “fingered” instead of “toed” as all six species of sloths have three toes on their hind legs. The difference lies in the number of fingers on the front legs. These two kinds of sloths are very different from one another both in appearance and behavior.

Choloepus Sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni)

Two of the six species of sloths live in Costa Rica. One is the Brown-Throated three-fingered sloth (Bradypus variegatus) and the other is the Hoffmann’s two-fingered sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni). All of the sloths served by the sanctuary are one of these two species. Due to a variety of factors, many more Choloepus sloths find themselves in need of help from the sanctuary. Around 90% of the sloths rescued by the sanctuary are Choloepus.

Bradypus sloth (Bradypus variegatus)

Sloths need the help of the professionals from the sanctuary for many reasons. Some arrive with injuries, such as burns from electrocution on power lines, wounds from dog bites, trauma from being hit by cars, or broken limbs from falls. Babies arrive when found abandoned or discovered clinging to a mother who has passed away.

On one occasion, a mother Choloepus sloth and her baby survived a terrible fire at a chemical plant in Limón, a town a half an hour north of the sanctuary. When they arrived at the sanctuary, both mom and baby were covered in black soot from nose to feet. This fortunate pair were in good hands and they were successfully rehabbed and returned to the wild.

Some sloths arrive with minimal damage and can be quickly treated and returned to the forest. Others have injuries requiring extensive treatment. Others arrive in such a state that it is not possible to do anything other than provide a little comfort in final moments.

Judy, Ursula, and the rest of the team treat all ailments tenderly and in a timely manner, and provide a safe and comfortable haven for each patient. If a sloth cannot be returned to the wild, the sanctuary provides a lifelong and loving home.

Jojo and Joel

Unfortunately, the number of animals displaced by deforestation or impacted by other human-related activity is growing rapidly. When the Arroyos began their noble work, they were one of only a handful of organizations participating in wildlife rescue. Today, there are 390 registered rescue centers in the country of Costa Rica. This is a staggering number and a strong indicator of increasing negative impact of human activity on Costa Rican wildlife.

However, there is an upside. It also demonstrates an increased willingness by citizens to intervene when they encounter an injured or orphaned animal of any kind, and take it to a rescue center. This means that public education is truly important in helping solve these human made challenges.

• Here are some of the beautiful truths I learned while there.

Judy takes great care in selecting the team of people who work alongside her and her family. Running the sanctuary and providing the high level of care to all of the resident sloths takes a village of skilled and dedicated people. She employs veterinarians, sloth care specialists, educational tour guides, groundskeepers, as well as a highly skilled office team specializing in technology, social media, design, fundraising, and administration. She also hosts researchers interested in discovering more about sloths.

Andrea, a sloth care specialist

Judy and Ursula are fantastic leaders and mentors to the team. The members of the team look up to them, which is quite evident when watching their interactions. Everyone on the team takes great pride in the work they do for the sanctuary. Judy and Ursula constantly talk about how much they love their team. They express a deep respect and admiration for each team member’s unique gifts and contributions, as well as an appreciation for his or her commitment to the sanctuary. It is clear these feelings are mutual.

Selma, a sloth care specialist

• Animal welfare is a top priority

During my visits to the sanctuary, I continually witnessed excellent animal care and welfare. I was moved beyond words by the high level of care shown to each and every sloth in residence. All sloths at the sanctuary are attended to on a regular basis throughout the day, and in the critical cases, even more frequently, including throughout the evening and night. The sanctuary carefully follows laws and guidelines put forth by their governing agency, MINAE.

Choloepus sloth climbing

The sloths reside in several locations around the property. There are two areas for baby sloths, two areas for juveniles and adults, a quarantine area, and several areas for sloths transitioning to life back in the wild.

Marshmallow, a rescued Choloepus infant

Spirit, a rescued Bradypus infant

The NICU houses babies who either need regular milk or with specific life-threatening health conditions requiring close monitoring. The nursery houses babies who are still young but not in need of milk. These sloths receive care from Judy, Ursula, and other experienced team members specially trained in providing the particular care required by these fragile individuals.

The sanctuary's NICU

The staff keeps meticulous records on the food intake, weight, and behavior of each baby. Babies also spend time outside in a special area devoted to teaching them valuable skills they would ordinarily learn from their mothers, including climbing and potty training.

Baby Choloepus sloths practice important skills

Adults are housed in two areas; one visible to tourists and one behind-the-scenes. The sloths in the public area are permanent residents of the sanctuary. These sloths are not candidates for release due to varying conditions that make it impossible for them to survive in the wild. Their enclosures allow guests nice views during tours while protecting sloths from being touched by unfamiliar hands.

Sloths in the Learning Center

The sloths in the behind-the-scenes area are adults or juveniles who are old enough to be independent. Some of these sloths are permanent residents of the sanctuary and others are candidates for release. These sloths are usually housed individually, as sloths are usually solitary.

Leena

Li'l Angel

Dutchess

Occasionally there are sloths living in enclosures with other sloths. This is because certain individuals prefer the company of other sloths, and some have formed close bonds. For these reasons, some are kept in much larger enclosures with up to three other sloths.

Female Choloepus sloths

Female Choloepus sloths

Post-mealtime rest

 The enclosures themselves are spacious, have access to fresh air, and are cleaned twice each day. Each enclosure provides naturalistic enrichment in the form of climbing branches, hammocks, and platforms upon which sloths can rest or eat a meal. As a result, sloths display natural behaviors and experience comfort.

Tree branches for climbing and a hammock for resting

Platform for mealtime

Fresh air and space

Each sloth has a clipboard next to his or her enclosure with information on diet and bathroom habits. This allows the team to record very detailed information on what each sloth eats at each meal, including special notes for individuals with differing dietary requirements and preferences. They also note urine and fecal output when seen.

Clipboard for logging individual sloth diet information

The food provided to the sloths is of the highest quality and specially selected to meet the nutritional needs of the two kinds of sloths at the sanctuary. Choloepus sloths receive fresh vegetables in the morning and a variety of kinds of carefully sorted leaves in the afternoon. Bradypus sloths receive a variety of leaves (primarily Cecropia, their preferred diet) for both meals.

Samantha

Sloths with permanent injuries or hind limb paralysis are provided with additional accommodations and receive additional attention and treatments that fit their specific needs. Special modifications to their enclosures allow them to both behave as normally as possible and to experience continuous comfort.

Lightning



Bruno

All those caring for and interacting with the sloths showed the utmost respect and consideration each time they worked with each animal. It was beautiful and moving to see.

• Excellent medical care and husbandry

The Sloth Sanctuary team takes great care in providing the sloths the best medical care. Important for this is a strong emphasis on preventative medicine. One way they accomplish this is through daily visual checks on each sloth. First thing each morning, upon entering each enclosure for cleaning and feeding, team members look each sloth over from head to toe.

Bright, alert, attentive

The goal of the visual check is to notice anything that might be out of the ordinary, either physically or behaviorally. Sloth care team members see the sloths each day and know them well. They recognize that each sloth is unique and behaves slightly differently than other sloths. This knowledge allows them to recognize even the slightest of differences that might be vital in diagnosing an impending health problem.

Log sheet for sloth health concerns

Any health or behavioral concerns are brought immediately to Judy or senior team members, who respond immediately and communicate with the veterinary team. All concerns are addressed tenderly and in a timely manner.

Another way the sanctuary practices preventative medicine is through regular check-ups. These exams often include blood and fecal sample collection as well as baseline radiographs or ultrasound. These measures show detailed information of the internal health of each sloth. Each sloth has a file containing all of his or her medical and diet information. These files are regularly referenced in assessing long-term health of resident sloths.

The Slothpital

These check-ups take place at the onsite veterinary hospital (known as the “Slothpital”) at the sanctuary. This facility has state-of-the-art medical equipment that allows the veterinary team to quickly obtain diagnostic information as well as perform surgeries. The proximity of the Slothpital to the sloth enclosures also allows the team to respond quickly and effectively to veterinary emergencies.

Located near the Slothpital is the quarantine area, which is a place for sloths arriving at the sanctuary with communicable diseases or with unknown conditions that might impact other sloths.

• Releasing rehabilitated sloths

The sanctuary tries, whenever possible, to release sloths back into the wild after rescue and rehabilitation. Unfortunately, it is not as easy as placing a sloth back into the forest after he or she is healed. Rehabilitation can take time, and the process differs greatly between individuals and cannot be rushed. Sometimes release is impossible because of a sloth’s physical disability or medical needs.

People tend to think that a formerly-captive animal’s survival instincts automatically kick in when the animal is released. However, it’s proven that this is not necessarily true. The animal ends up being disoriented, confused and scared—and this can lead to its death from malnutrition and dehydration.

The sanctuary staff considers several factors when selecting candidates for release. First, has the sloth thrived independently in the wild prior to coming to the sanctuary? An orphaned or abandoned baby who hasn't learned valuable survival and foraging skills from mom is ill-equipped to do so. Around 95% of the sloths at the sanctuary were neonates or infants when they arrived. Without the mother’s teachings, they are simply not equipped with the necessary survival skills to live in the wild.

Second, is the sloth physically able to survive in the wild? Animals with movement hindering injuries or paralysis cannot. Third, does the sloth have the personality and resilience to make it after the experience that landed him or her in the sanctuary in the first place? And fourth, is it possible to return the sloth to the same location where he or she was found? Or would it be dangerous to do so?

The sanctuary has several locations on the property that are used in transitioning sloths from sanctuary life to life in the wild. These are locations where sloths can spend time in the forest engaging in behaviors like their wild counterparts. They can also be closely observed by sanctuary team members to ensure the transition is going smoothly. If this goes well, the sanctuary then decides on a plan for release.

Releasing an animal that is not adequately prepared for life in the wild can be its death sentence. Thankfully, the Sloth Sanctuary is committed to taking great care in preparing release candidates for life in the wild, as well as providing a lifelong loving home for sloths who cannot survive in the wild.

• How can we help sloths in their rainforest homes?

Beyond the excellent care provided to the sloths, the sanctuary is heavily involved in education, conservation, and research efforts. The sanctuary offers two separate tours, both of which allow visitors to view sloths in close proximity and to learn about their unique biology, physiology, and importance to the ecosystem.

Buttercup

Like many wild animals, sloths experience stress when handled by unfamiliar people. Recent research demonstrated that sloths handled by unfamiliar people experienced significant changes in heart rate. For this reason, the tours are interactive, allowing close views of the sloths, but no longer include touching. The guests learn about and respect the reasons behind the sanctuary’s decision to do “viewing only” tours. This is another example of the sanctuary putting the best interest of the animals first.

One of the most meaningful aspects of these tours is learning about specific individual sloths and hearing their stories. I believe this helps foster a connection between the sloths and the guests. When you see how the actions of one small group of people can make such a huge impact on sloths like Buttercup, Millie, Li’l Angel, PJ, Chewbacca, Bruno, Toyota, and Darla, among others, it becomes easier to see how changes in our actions, however small, can make such a profound difference in the life of an animal.

Millie

The sanctuary also works closely with sloth scientists to better understand these enigmatic creatures. One scientist in particular, Becky Cliffe, has collected extensive data over the past six years on sloth habits, distribution, and behavior. Becky, along with her research partner, Sarah Kennedy, are incredibly gifted at their work and are learning volumes about sloths through their research. The results of this work, along with work done by other scientists at the sanctuary, have valuable implications for sloth conservation.

Judy also shares her expertise with others who might benefit from her help. For example, a number of years back, a newborn sloth at the National Aquarium lost his mom when he was only a few days old. Who did our team call? Judy, of course! She helped our team find the ideal milk substitute and taught them proper care techniques for raising an orphaned infant sloth. Because of Judy, the baby sloth not only survived, but also now thrives as a healthy and well-adjusted adult.

Xeno, a Choloepus sloth at the National Aquarium

• This place is so special

The sloths at the sanctuary are so lucky to have such a wonderful group of people so concerned for their well-being and care. Many of the sloths come to the sanctuary in serious condition and might have died an agonizing death if it hadn't been for the actions of Judy and her team. Instead, they get another chance at life. They are comforted, treated, loved, and respected.

It is difficult to find the right words to adequately express just how incredible Judy is, and what a huge impact she has had and continues to have on the sloths in her care. Her sanctuary is such a special place. Her expertise is beyond compare, and her team so very dedicated to their good work.

Reunited with Ursula and Judy in July 2016

Please consider a visit to this beautiful place. You won't be disappointed. I hope to return again sometime soon! The Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica will always have a huge fan and supporter in me.