Sloth Walking Trail in Costa Rica

Immerse yourself in the Sloth Observation Trail at Natuwa and discover the magic of wildlife in its full splendor. Accompanied by experts, enjoy unique encounters with these charming animals in their natural habitat.

An unforgettable experience awaits you!

The Sloth Garden at Natuwa Sanctuary

The Sloth Garden at Natuwa Sanctuary is more than just a garden. It is a specialized space within Natuwa Sanctuary that recreates the natural habitat of sloths. It provides a safe environment for these animals to live and thrive. It is a vital refuge and a paradise for the rescued sloths that call this place home.

Located in the heart of Costa Rica, the garden is a symbol of Natuwa Sanctuary’s dedication and love for these intriguing and endangered animals. We invite everyone to come and enjoy this unique place, learn about sloths, and support our conservation efforts.

What are sloths?

Sloths are animals belonging to the Bradypodidae family and are known for their slow movement. They are arboreal creatures that spend most of their lives in trees, moving slowly from one place to another.

Where can sloths be found?

They can primarily be found in the tropical forests of Central and South America. In Costa Rica, sloths can be seen in various habitats, from dense forests to suburban areas. Follow the link to learn more about these charismatic creatures.

Sloths: Getting to Know the Garden Residents

In the sloth garden, you can meet a variety of these fascinating animals, each with their own story and personality. Here reside two-toed sloths and three-toed sloths, all of whom have been rescued and cared for by the dedicated team at Natuwa.

How was the Sloth Garden created?

The garden was created with the intention of providing a suitable home for rescued sloths. It was designed with the needs of sloths in mind, featuring tall trees, water sources, and abundant vegetation.

Why do sloths need a garden?

Sloths are creatures that, despite their peaceful nature, require specialized attention and care, especially if they have been rescued and cannot be released back into their natural habitat. Here are a few additional reasons why sloths need a specialized garden:

Rehabilitation and Quality of Life Enhancement: Rescued sloths that come to our Wildlife Sanctuary have often suffered physical and psychological trauma due to their past experiences. Our garden, closely resembling their natural habitat, provides a safe and tranquil environment for their recovery and ongoing improvement of their quality of life. Although these sloths cannot be released back into the wild, they find in our sanctuary a place that closely replicates their natural state.

Under the watchful supervision and care of our highly trained team, sloths, particularly those who have lost limbs or have suffered severe injuries due to electrical burns, can find a safe and peaceful home for their rehabilitation and growth.

Development of Limited Skills: Some rescued sloths may struggle to develop necessary survival skills in the wild, such as foraging for food and defending themselves. In the garden, these sloths can maintain and refine the skills they still possess in a controlled environment, contributing to their well-being.
Ensuring Feeding: In the garden, sloths have constant access to appropriate and nutritionally balanced food. This regular feeding is vital, especially for sloths that have experienced malnutrition or may struggle to find food for themselves in the wild due to their physical conditions.
Protection Against Predators and Threats: In the garden, sloths are safe from the threats they would face in their natural habitat. This is especially crucial for sloths who, due to their physical conditions, may become easy prey for predators, including dogs. There have been cases of sloths suffering attacks from dogs, so the garden provides a secure environment where they can live without that danger.

In this way, the Sloth Garden at Natuwa ensures a space of safety and protection for these animals, minimizing the risks they would face in the wild and allowing them to live in a more peaceful and secure manner.

Simulating the Natural Environment and Enhancing Animal Welfare: A key advantage of the Sloth Garden at Natuwa is its unique design, which emulates the natural environment of sloths. Unlike conventional enclosures of a few cubic meters that severely restrict the mobility and natural behavior of these animals, our facility incorporates trees, bodies of water, shelters, and naturally shaded areas. Sloths, although slow, cover great distances in nature, something they cannot do in a small enclosure.

Our Sloth Garden allows for this natural mobility, thereby promoting better quality of life and welfare for these beings, which we consider an essential aspect of ethical and responsible management.

Education and Awareness: Sloth gardens also play an important role in public education. By visiting these gardens, people can learn about the needs and challenges of sloths, which helps increase awareness about their protection and conservation.

In summary, the Sloth Garden at Natuwa Sanctuary not only provides a safe and permanent home for sloths that cannot be released, but also an optimized environment for their well-being and ongoing development. Specialists can work with each individual sloth to understand and address their specific needs, maximizing their long-term quality of life and welfare.

Sloth Species in the Garden

Two-toed sloth: The two-toed sloth is one of the species you can find in the garden. They are known for their slow movement and ability to spend long hours sleeping in trees.

Three-toed sloth: This is another common species in the garden. Unlike two-toed sloths, three-toed sloths are slightly more active and tend to move more frequently during the day.

The Garden: A Source of Food and Beauty

The Sloth Garden is composed of a series of trees and plants that not only beautify the place but also provide food for the sloths. Here you will find jocotes, cacao trees, beach almond trees, guarumos, and many more plant species.

While these trees and plants provide an important source of food for sloths, they also depend on our care and supplementary feeding provided by the Natuwa team. This additional nutrition is vital to maintain the health and well-being of the sloths residing in the garden.

Visit the Sloth Garden

Sloth Tour: Exploring the Sloth Garden

The Sloth Garden at Natuwa Sanctuary is a miniature wonder of nature that allows for a sloth tour in a natural setting. This one-hectare space is composed of a series of trees and native plants of Costa Rica, each with a special function in the ecosystem and the life of sloths.

Visitors can marvel at the variety of trees such as jocote, cacao, beach almond, guarumos, and more. These trees not only beautify the garden but also produce vital food for sloths, contributing to their health and well-being.

The trees and plants in this garden not only serve as food for the sloths but also offer them a safe refuge where they can rest, play, and socialize.

While these trees and plants provide an important source of food for sloths, they also depend on our care and supplementary feeding provided by the Natuwa team. This additional nutrition is vital to maintain the health and well-being of the sloths residing in the garden.

Thus, the Sloth Garden is a unique space that combines the natural beauty of Costa Rica with the opportunity for a sloth tour and close observation of these charming and enigmatic animals. This is more than just a tour; it

is a unique experience to connect with nature and contribute to the conservation of these incredible beings.

Unique Sloth Watching Experience: Visiting the Sloth Garden offers an unparalleled experience where you not only have the opportunity to observe these fascinating animals in an environment that simulates their natural habitat but also increase your knowledge about their behavior and understand the vital importance of their conservation.

Furthermore, you’ll be glad to know that our tours are guided by trained staff who deeply care about the well-being of the sloths. During your visit, they will accompany you to provide valuable information, answer all your questions, and ensure that your experience is safe for both you and the animals.

In the Sloth Garden, respect for the life and privacy of these animals is paramount. Therefore, we have installed barriers along our trails to prevent visitors from getting too close to the sloths. These measures ensure that while you can admire these animals from a safe distance, you do not invade their space or disrupt their natural processes. This way, sloths can continue their lives with minimal interference, while you enjoy a unique and educational experience.

Practical Information for the Visit: We recommend wearing comfortable and weather-appropriate clothing, as well as suitable walking shoes. Don’t forget your camera, as you will have many opportunities to capture stunning photos of sloths in their natural habitat. The proceeds from the visits are used to support Natuwa Sanctuary’s conservation initiatives.

Conserving Sloths

Conservation Efforts at Natuwa Sanctuary

The sanctuary is committed to conserving and protecting sloths through various efforts, such as rescuing injured animals and creating the Sloth Garden.

The Sloths of Natuwa Sanctuary

The sloths that call the Sloth Garden at Natuwa Sanctuary their home are extraordinary creatures full of personality. Each one of them has been rescued and cared for by our team of experts, giving them a second chance at life after facing adverse situations.

Why Sloths Are in the Garden and Not in the Wild

The reason these sloths live in the garden and are not free in their natural ecosystem is that they are individuals who, due to various circumstances, cannot be released back into the wild.

Some are orphans that were rescued at a very young age and did not learn the necessary skills to survive in the wild. Others have chronic illnesses or physical disabilities that would make their survival in the wild dangerous. In the garden, these sloths can live a safe and comfortable life, with access to food, medical care, and an enriching environment that closely mimics their natural habitat.

A Safe Home: How Do We Take Care of Our Sloths?

Our commitment to the sloths in our garden goes beyond basic care, incorporating continuous monitoring of their health, rigorously balanced feeding, and activities designed for their enrichment. Our team is always on alert to meet any needs these charming mammals may have, ensuring they feel protected, happy, and comfortable in their cozy environment.

While our primary goal is always to collaborate with MINAE in reintroducing sloths and other species to their natural habitat, we understand that it is not always feasible. In such cases, the Sloth Garden becomes a safe refuge that offers these beings a chance to live in a peaceful and safeguarded environment.

Sloth Stories: Getting to Know Our Residents

Lucas: Rescued when he was just a baby, Lucas was found alone and disoriented. Without his mother to teach him survival skills, Lucas became a permanent resident of the Sloth Garden. Today, this two-toed sloth is a happy and healthy inhabitant of the garden.

Papita: Papita is another special resident of our Sloth Garden. This little sloth was rescued by a government official from a hotel in the Guanacaste area. In her short life, Papita

had been inappropriately used as an attraction for hotel visitors, who would lift her, pet her, and take selfies with her.

This human handling, besides being harmful to the health and well-being of wild animals, is strictly prohibited by Costa Rican law and regulations. Fortunately, Papita was confiscated in time and transferred to Natuwa Sanctuary. Now, Papita enjoys a dignified and secure life in our Sloth Garden, where she can behave naturally and live away from human exploitation.

Castaño: Castaño is a true survivor who came to us as a baby weighing only 300 grams. Tragically, he was orphaned after his mother was hit by a vehicle on the road, a fate all too common for many wildlife creatures. While his mother did not survive, Castaño did. After being cared for and rehabilitated at Natuwa, he has grown into a strong and healthy sloth. Now, at around 7 years old, Castaño happily resides in our Sloth Garden, enjoying the leaves of jocote and cacao trees he can find, allowing him to live a tranquil and safe life.

Chuguaca: This animal has a sadly touching story, a reminder of the threats that sloths can face at the intersection of their natural habitats and human environments. Chuguaca lost his mother due to severe attacks by multiple dogs defending their territory. Tragically, his mother did not survive the injuries, leaving Chuguaca as an orphan.

Despite this heartbreaking start to life, Chuguaca has found a new home in the Sloth Garden at Natuwa. Here, this little sloth can grow and develop safely, away from the dangers he faced in the past. Chuguaca’s story is a stark reminder of why it is vital to provide a safe haven for these wonderful animals.

Sloth Care in the Garden

Sloth Nutrition

The care of sloths at Natuwa Sanctuary goes beyond providing them with a safe space to live. It requires constant attention to their dietary and health needs. Sloths heavily rely on our care and supplementary feeding in addition to the vegetation in the garden.

The trees and plants in the garden provide a significant portion of their diet, but to ensure their health and well-being, sloths also receive carefully selected and prepared supplementary feeding from the sanctuary’s staff. This specialized nutrition is essential for their health, providing the necessary nutrients and energy they need to thrive.

Our team is dedicated to caring for the sloths, providing them with everything they need to live a comfortable and healthy life.

In addition to feeding, sloths also receive medical attention and well-being care at Natuwa Sanctuary. From regular check-ups to specialized medical treatments when needed, our efforts ensure that each sloth receives the care they need to have a healthy and happy life.

In summary, at Natuwa Sanctuary, we work hard to ensure that our sloths not only have a safe place to live but also receive the proper care and nutrition they need. We invite everyone to visit our Sloth Garden and support our conservation work. With your visit or donation, you can make a real difference in the lives of these wonderful animals and the conservation of Costa Rica’s wildlife.

Contribute to Sloth Conservation

How Can You Contribute?

There are different ways you can help the conservation efforts of Natuwa Sanctuary. You can make a donation, symbolically adopt a sloth, or even volunteer to assist in the care of these animals.

Benefits of Your Contribution

Your contribution will help provide the necessary resources for the care and maintenance of the Sloth Garden, as well as the recovery and rehabilitation of rescued sloths. Each contribution makes a significant difference in the lives of these animals. By visiting the Sloth Garden at Natuwa Sanctuary,

you will not only have an unforgettable experience but also contribute to the important conservation work for these fascinating animals.

Conclusion: Join Our Mission

The Sloth Garden at NATUWA is a loving home for sloths in need of our help and a place for people to connect with these incredible animals. We invite you to join us on our journey to protect and conserve sloths, whether by visiting the garden, learning about these fascinating animals, or supporting our conservation efforts in any way you can. Remember, every small action counts in our mission to safeguard these invaluable treasures of Costa Rica’s biodiversity.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Sloth Garden!