Harriet & Holly

OUR Christmas MIRACLE

by Elly King

Harriet’s remarkable journey be-

gan when she was orphaned at a young age. Rescued by our friends at Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary in 2019, she continued her rehabilitation at Toucan Rescue Ranch. Alongside her was another young sloth named Aroura, found around the same time and at a similar age. Together, they embarked on their rehabilitation journey and eventually arrived at their final pre-release home at The Sloth Institute. In February 2022, both sloths were released back into the wild at Tulemar, Manuel Antonio.

Since then, Harriet has made Tulemar her forever home, and our team tracks her progress each day. She thrives in the wild and has become a strong and spirited female who confidently defends her territory. She can often be spotted snoozing in the cool shade of a dense mango tree or munching happily on fresh beach almond leaves, embracing the freedom of her natural habitat under the Costa Rican sun.

After her release, Harriet’s confident nature caught the attention of several two-fingered males, and she soon began contributing to the next generation of wild sloths. In 2023, she was expecting her first baby, but sadly, she experienced a miscarriage. Then, at the beginning of 2024, we suspected she might be pregnant again - a health check and ultrasound confirmed it with the wonderful sound of a tiny heartbeat.

We monitored her closely in the months that followed, eagerly awaiting the big day. On Christmas Day 2024, Harriet retreated to a quiet, hidden spot - a sure sign she was preparing to give birth. The next day, our team found her resting peacefully in a palm tree, and as we watched, we spotted a tiny baby limb draped gently over her side. Our Christmas miracle had arrived!

In the weeks that followed, our team observed Harriet and her new baby daily, ensuring that both were healthy and thriving. About six weeks later, we carried out a health check and confirmed what we had hoped - Harriet had given birth to a strong, healthy baby girl! We named her Holly, in honour of her special Christmas arrival.

Harriet’s story is a celebration of nature’s resilience. From an orphaned youngster to a devoted mother, she found her place among the trees of Manuel Antonio, where her daughter Holly now grows beneath the same sun-dappled canopy. Together, they serve as a living reminder that every rescue strengthened the wild heart of Costa Rica’s forests and helped keep these precious

ecosystems thriving for generations to come.

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The Sloth Institute, located in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, focuses on enhancing the welfare and conservation of sloths through the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of hand-raised and injured sloths.  While also conducting vital research, conservation, and education programs to ensure their survival.

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