Meet Harriet, February’s Sloth of the Month

At The Sloth Institute, every sloth has a story worth sharing, and this February, we’re shining a light on Harriet – a true fighter, devoted mother, and example of why sloth conservation matters.

From Orphaned Baby to Wild Survivor

Harriet’s journey began with uncertainty and hardship. As an orphaned baby, she needed specialized care and attention, which brought her to our Sloth School System. Here, she learned the vital skills she would need to survive in the wild; how to forage for food, climb confidently, and find shelter. Each small milestone she reached brought her closer to living independently in her home, the rainforest.

After successfully completing every step of the program, Harriet was released back into the wild more than three years ago. Watching her establish her own territory and thrive has been incredibly rewarding for our team – but her story doesn’t end there! Harriet became more than a survivor; she became part of something bigger.

A Vital Part of Our Research Program

Recently, Harriet was fitted with a tracking collar as part of our behavioral ecology study. This research focuses on comparing sloth behavior near the beach to those living closer to the mountains. By tracking Harriet’s movements, diet, and interactions with her environment, we’re gathering critical data to better understand sloth health and habitat needs in various ecosystems.

A New Chapter: Harriet Becomes a Mom

The most heartwarming part of Harriet’s journey came at the end of 2024 when she gave birth to a healthy baby sloth named Holly. Seeing Harriet thrive as a mother is incredibly special for our team. Two years ago, she suffered a heartbreaking miscarriage, a painful reminder of how fragile sloth survival can be in the wild.

Now, watching Harriet nurture little Holly has filled us with hope. Both mom and baby are thriving, and Harriet’s incredible success highlights how crucial proper rehabilitation and post-release support are for sloths to live full, natural lives.

How You Can Support Harriet

This month, you can help sloths like Harriet by symbolically adopting her through our Adopt-A-Sloth program. Your support helps us:

• Expand our research efforts and track sloth behavior more effectively
• Restore habitats through tree planting and reforestation
• Provide ongoing care for injured or orphaned sloths

When you adopt Harriet, you’ll receive a personalized certificate and exclusive updates on her progress, knowing that every dollar goes directly toward helping sloths like her.

Why Harriet’s Story Matters

Harriet’s life is a reminder that even the smallest creatures can overcome incredible challenges with the right care and support. From being an orphaned baby to thriving as a wild mother, she symbolizes everything we work for at The Sloth Institute.

This February, let’s celebrate Harriet’s resilience, her growing family, and the future we’re building for sloths together. Your support makes this possible, and we’re incredibly grateful to have you on this journey with us.