Sam Trull, co founder of the Sloth Institute in Costa Rica, has been helping sloths return to the wild since 2013. 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. Trull is also the author of Slothlove, a book about her beloved sloths.

“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.”

More info: Amazon.com | theslothinstitutecostarica.org (h/t: upworthy, manhattanbookreview)

Human encroachment is a huge threat to sloth populations

That’s why Sam Trull started The Sloth Institute Costa Rica

This is Kermie, the sloth that Trull rescued and which inspired her to start the Institute

A special “soft” release technique is used at the Institute

It allows sloths to take their time getting acclimated to the jungle before they go off on their own

“I co-founded The Sloth Institute because I wanted to spend all of my energy and time getting my hand-raised babies back into the jungle”

“Sloths need trees to survive and not just any trees, but the right trees and enough trees”

“They need a connected and healthy forest”

“Those industries steal sloths from the wild for tourists to touch and the sloths die from stress”

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

“In addition, humans come with electric wires, cars, dogs…”

“…all things that affect every wildlife species, but especially sloths that do not have the ability to jump away from danger or run quickly across the road”

“People can help by being responsible tourists”

“When visiting a country with sloths, never pay to take a picture with one, hold one or pet one”

“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?!”

“In addition, they have a very curious and playful side, something most people have never and will never see”

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