What We Do

Sloth Rescue and Rehabilitation

Of the six sloth species living in the world today, two are native to Costa Rica: the Brown-Throated Three-Fingered Sloth, Bradypus variegatus, and Hoffmann’s Two-Fingered Sloth, Choloepus hoffmanni. Though similar in appearance, these species differ significantly in anatomy, behavior, and care needs.

Two-Fingered Sloth
Hoffmann’s Two-Fingered Sloth is nocturnal, active during the night. This species has two fingers on each hand and three toes on each foot. Often recognized by a pig-like nose and blond or brown fur, external indicators of sex are hidden by dense hair, making it difficult to distinguish males from females at a distance.

Three-Fingered Sloth
The Brown-Throated Three-Fingered Sloth is diurnal, active during daylight hours. With three fingers and three toes, this species is known for a distinctive black marking across the mouth, (often referred to as their “pura vida smile”) and a dark mask around the eyes. Their fur is salt-and-pepper colored, blending black, grey, and white. Sexually mature individuals can be identified by a marking on their back: juvenile males and adult females have a white patch with a vertical black line, while adult males display an orange patch with a brown line.

Why Sloths Arrive at the Center
Each year, the Jaguar Rescue Center receives over 300 sloths. Some arrive after electrocution from uninsulated power lines, dog attacks, or road accidents. Others are newborns, orphaned after their mothers were killed under similar circumstances.

Rehabilitation
A sloth may remain at the center for up to two years. During this time, care is structured in stages—kindergarten, middle school, high school, and sloth university—allowing young sloths to grow together and learn the skills essential for survival in the wild.

Some sloths become permanent residents due to injuries too severe for release, such as the loss of a limb and reduced mobility of their remaining limbs. Others, once ready, are released into the wild where they truly belong.

Learning from Sloths
Though both species belong to the Xenarthran family, they are only distantly related to each other (and surprisingly, also to armadillos and anteaters!). Many myths surround sloths, from sleep habits to temperament. Guided tours at the Jaguar Rescue Center offer a chance to learn what’s true, what’s not, and to observe these remarkable animals up close. Sloths are also commonly seen in the surrounding area, resting in trees like Cecropia trees, the favourite leaves of three-toed sloths.