We found Luiza … and She's Pregnant! | August 2026
After weeks of searching for Luiza, Team Sloth finally had the breakthrough we had been hoping for. Our thermal drone pilot spotted her high in the canopy, tucked into a Cecropia tree. She was almost 20 metres above the ground, making her impossible to reach without a carefully planned approach.
Once the team confirmed that it was indeed Luiza, the capture operation began. The pilot set up ropes to help the team reach her, while also working to gently pull the branch she was resting on lower. It took plenty of patience and perseverance, and tree climbing skill, but eventually, after a long wait, the team managed to bring Luiza within reach.
Our drone pilot and tree climber setting up the ropes to climb!
What happened next made all that effort more than worthwhile. Luiza descended from the canopy clinging to a branch and handfuls of Cecropia leaves, and the team was absolutely delighted to discover that she is pregnant! The team vet was lucky enough to feel the baby inside Luiza when she placed her hand on her tummy!
Luiza being brought down
With Luiza safely in hand, the team could get to work. Her old tracking collar was replaced with a new one, and the team took the opportunity to collect important samples and record her biometrics before releasing her back into the forest.
Luiza getting her collar change.
Luiza was released into a nearby Sangrillo tree, just a short distance from the Cecropia where she had been captured. With her new collar in place and a little one on the way, we now have something very special to look forward to.
Off she goes, back into the canopy!
If all goes well, we could be welcoming a new Luiza baby into the world as early as September!
Thank you for symbolically adopting Luiza and being part of her journey. Your support helps us keep following her through every stage of her life, from tracking her movements in the forest to watching for the arrival of her newest little adventure.
With her new collar in place and a baby on the way, we can't wait to see what the next chapter holds for Luiza.
