November 2025
Update #51 of The Urban Sloth Project!
November has been full of excitement in the jungle: from tracking our Urban Sloth Project stars to taking big steps toward our future home.
After securing the plot where we’ll build our new Sloth HQ, we’re now working with architects on the plans and renderings of what will soon become our dream headquarters.
Of course, there will be tweaks and changes along the way, but we hope this short video helps you envision the space that will allow us to grow, expand, and keep protecting sloths and their rainforest homes.
Now, let’s see what our Urban Sloth Project residents have been up to this month, because as always, the sloths have stories to tell!
Pistachio
Pistachio surprised us this month with a rare and rather unexpected move! He wandered from his usual home near the Caribeans restaurant over to Tasty Waves, the neighboring territory where Tender lives. Funnily enough, Tender has disappeared from his usual area and we have been struggling to point his location.
Pistachio has never been known to cross that fence before, so seeing him exploring new ground (and even using some of Tender’s and Gandalf’s favorite trees) was a fascinating change in his routine.
Sloths are surprisingly territorial. Each individual has a well-defined area of the forest they know intimately, often less than a few hectares in size. Within this range, they memorize the exact layout of trees and the safest canopy routes, a mental map that helps them conserve energy and avoid danger. Because of this, they rarely cross into a neighbor’s territory unless pushed by necessity, such as searching for food, mates, or new trees when their own area changes.
So Pistachio’s little adventure might tell us something, perhaps shifting resources, a search for Tender, or simply curiosity. Whatever the reason, it’s a fascinating glimpse into how dynamic and adaptable sloths can really be!
Luiza
We have some difficult news to share about Luiza. Sadly, we haven’t seen her baby again since last month, and we now suspect the little one may not have survived.
Unfortunately, infant loss is heartbreakingly common among sloths. Studies suggest that as many as half of all baby sloths don’t make it past their first few months. Life in the canopy is full of challenges: young sloths are extremely vulnerable, and they are also at risk from falls- a single slip from a high tree can be fatal for a small baby that is still learning to cling to its mother.
Human-related dangers are also increasing. Habitat fragmentation, road crossings, and loss of canopy connectivity make it harder for mothers to move safely between feeding trees. In some cases, even a gap of a few meters can separate them from essential resources. When trees are removed, mothers are forced to cross open ground, exposing both themselves and their young to serious risk.
Despite this, Luiza herself remains healthy and strong, continuing her usual calm routines. Each baby sloth, even when lost, reminds us how fragile their world is, and how vital our ongoing work is to protect these gentle animals and the forests they call home.
Deborah
True to form, Debbie has been in the same tree as usual, displaying the same behaviours of resting and curling up, so no remarkable changes for her! Her only break from routine seemed to be when she wandered over to a tree on the beach, which used to be a common hangout spot for Mango and Maracuya.
Tender
This month has been really hard to get our eyes on Tender. He has been away from the familiar ground of Tasty Waves, and wandered into a nearby property. When this happens, it can make our tracking really hard due to access issues, and in an increasingly urbanised jungle, this has become quite common.
Most of these private properties remain jungly and lush, but there is definitely an issue with microfragmentation, where some trees are selectively felled. These private properties make up a big part of our sloths’ territories, which is why it is so important to make people aware, and get them on board with protecting the jungle on their land for sloths and other animals.
Primary Forest Sloths
Ponder
Ponder kept us on our toes this month. Early in the month, he spent time in a high area of the property. It was a new spot for him, but at least we knew the general area to search.
Later, he returned to the roadside near the place where he was originally collared, which made him easier to locate. Until…. an unexpected hiccup. While guiding donors through the primary forest, José had to hop from a rock down to the road. It wasn’t a big jump, but it was apparently enough to snap the tracking antenna cable. The antenna itself survived, but the severed cable meant that, right in the middle of the tour, Ponder’s signal disappeared.
Ponder’s collar only sends its satellite data on Wednesdays so when we returned the next day, we had to rely purely on what we could see in the field. Using the most recent Telonics GPS point, we narrowed the search area and eventually spotted a Choloepus arm. Unfortunately, that was all we could see. Without a confirmed signal, we weren’t able to collect data.
Pipa
This month, Pipa decided she would spend the whole month in the same tree. She nestled so deeply into the vines that it was often impossible to confirm her antenna.
We did manage to spot the antenna at least once this month, which reassured us that she’s doing well and has clearly found her perfect tree!
Chill
Chill lived up to his name this month, keeping things wonderfully relaxed. He moved between just a few trees and spent long stretches resting comfortably in the canopy. Although his low-key lifestyle sometimes made him tricky to spot, his antenna showed up clearly on multiple occasions, giving us confidence that he’s healthy and thriving. Chill seems perfectly content with his peaceful little corner of the forest!!
Thank you, truly, for being part of the heart of Team Sloth. Your monthly support gives us the stability to plan ahead, respond quickly, and keep pushing our research and conservation projects forward.
We’re endlessly grateful for your trust, your kindness, and your commitment to helping sloths thrive in the forests they call home.
All the best from the jungle,
