It was on the Caribbean coast that I had one of the most charming encounters in Costa Rica, when a sloth spontaneously reached out its arms to snuggle against me while I was waiting for Judy Arroyo!
At that moment, I understood why this little female sloth, arriving in the lives of Judy and Luis Arroyo one fine morning in 1992, had drawn them into the world of sloths…
Fascinated by this strange creature that fate had entrusted to them, Judy and Luis sought information about its species and were surprised to find a complete lack of it. In the absence of sources, they learned on their own how to feed, care for, and raise their little orphan. Soon, Judy and Luis, quickly gaining a reputation for their expertise, began to take in more and more orphaned or injured sloths from all over the country. The Arroyos soon discovered the many dangers that sloths face in Costa Rica: although they adapt relatively well to various environments, habitat fragmentation makes them vulnerable. For these slow-metabolism animals, crossing a road is a perilous, even deadly, task, while power lines, deceptively inviting, lead them straight to electrocution. Their gentle nature makes them easy victims of the pet trade. Finally, in a terrible paradox, their peaceful temperament sometimes incites blind and senseless aggression from some who do not hesitate to harm these defenseless creatures.
Concerned by this situation and the sloth’s misunderstood image in the public’s mind, Judy and Luis decided to become their spokespersons and dedicate themselves entirely to their protection and rehabilitation. Their beautiful hotel, Aviarios del Caribe (“the birds of the Caribbean”), named in honor of the hundreds of bird species frequenting the area, became a sanctuary for sloths from all backgrounds, unable to survive in the wild due to the loss of their mothers or severe injuries. Judy and Luis were fortunately joined in their endeavor by their children and grandchildren.
Since Luis’s tragic passing, Judy continues the mission with the support of her family and a large team working daily and full-time: besides the family, about twenty employees and numerous volunteers care for the well-being of the incoming sloths and educate the public through tours of the refuge, publications, and research. For Judy, introducing people to what a sloth truly is as important as taking care of them: it represents the tropical forest and belongs solely to the Americas; it is our koala, Judy often says. Clearly, the sloths have found someone to rely on!
