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BORN TO BE PROTECTEDSLOTHTOBER FEST 2026
Welcome to Slothtoberfest 2026 with The Sloth Institute
Every October, we throw the year’s biggest party for the animal we love most. This year, it means something more.
SlothtoberFest 2026 runs all month long, building all month toward International Sloth Day on October 20, the same day The Sloth Institute is stepping into a fight that goes beyond any one rescue. This year’s theme is Born to Be Protected. Wild by nature. Protected by you.
Slothtober isn’t just about celebrating sloths – it’s about fueling the work that makes their survival possible. Every dollar raised helps us rescue, rehabilitate, and release sloths back into the wild, while also advancing research and education for a brighter, wilder future.
On October 20, our founder, Sam Trull, and Dr. Rebecca Cliffe of the Sloth Conservation Foundation will make a special announcement live on Instagram at 8:00 AM CST (10:00 AM ET). It is the single biggest moment of this Alliance, and it is the reason this year’s Slothtoberfest carries more weight than a celebration.
Every sloth pulled into the wildlife trade started out exactly like the ones in our care: wild, and deserving of staying that way.
OCTOBERADOPT-A-SLOTH
Meet Etta, October's Sloth-of-the-Month
This month’s Adopt-a-Sloth spotlight is Etta, and you can meet her in person at our live Meet and Greet on October 20 at 2:00 PM CST. Adoptions start at $35 and fund the same rescue, rehabilitation, and release work behind every sloth’s second chance.
Individual event tickets are $25.
The Slothtoberfest Season Pass covers all five ticketed events for $99, or $75 if you grab the Early Bird rate before October 10.
Teachers and classrooms can join the Sloth Science session for $15 through our dedicated Classroom Pass. (The Classroom session is not included in the season pass.)
- Sat, Oct 17, 9:00 AM CST: Sloth-Flow Yoga
- Sun, Oct 18, 11:30 AM CST: Sloth Doodles with Sir Mr. Bean, featuring artist JP Doodles
- Mon, Oct 19, 1:00 PM CST: Sloth Science Classroom with Perezoso Pedro (bilingual, English and Spanish)
- Tue, Oct 20, 8:00 AM CST: Sloth Protection Alliance Announcement (free, on Instagram Live)
- Tue, Oct 20, 10:00 AM CST: Virtual Sloth Walk with Pedro Montero
- Tue, Oct 20, 12:00 PM CST: Behind-the-Scenes with Elly King and #TeamSloth
- Tue, Oct 20, 2:00 PM CST: Meet Etta, October’s Sloth of the Month
- Tue, Oct 20, 4:00 PM CST: Sloth Trivia with Two-Toed Tom and Perezoso Pedro (free, on Instagram Live)
Sloth-Flow Yoga with Hoppers Gym:
Slow down to sloth speed with a playful, unhurried flow session inspired by Earth’s most zen creature.
- 9:00 AM CST (Costa Rican Time) | Up to 45 Minutes (approx.)
- No yoga experience required, just a willingness to move slowly and laugh a little.
- A few gentle stretches, a lot of good vibes, and maybe a surprise guest.
- Perfect for anyone who wants Slothtober to start with a deep breath.
Kick off the festivities with a one-of-a-kind live art class hosted by JP Powell, creator of Sir Bean the Sloth.
- 11:30 AM CST (Costa Rican time) | Up to 1.5 Hours
- Learn how to sketch a two-fingered sloth alongside JP in an interactive Zoom session.
- Join for a very SPECIAL surprise
- Perfect for kids, families, or anyone who wants to doodle their love for sloths!
Zoom in on Costa Rica and learn about sloths with your students! This is a shorter, curriculum-friendly session built for students and teachers.
- Monday, Oct 19 at 1:00 PM CST (Costa Rica Time), scheduled during school hours
- TSI’s education team brings sloth science to life for the classroom.
- Perfect for a class’s first introduction to sloth conservation.
- Want to try Spanish? Let us know!
Virtual Sloth Walk at The Sloth Institute:
Follow Assistant Director Pedro Montero, better known online as Perezoso Pedro, into the rainforest for a live look at wild sloths in their natural habitat.
- 10:00 AM CST (Costa Rica Time) | Up to 1 Hour (approx.)
- A real-time walk through TSI’s grounds, no passport required.
- Keep an eye out, wild sightings are never guaranteed but always possible!
- Perfect for armchair travelers and sloth lovers everywhere.
Behind-the-Scenes & Q/A with #TeamSloth
Go inside TSI’s clinic and rehab spaces for an unfiltered look at the science, care, and quiet moments that keep our sloths on the road to release.
- 12:00 PM CST (Costa Rica Time) | Up to 1 Hour (approx.)
- See where the real work happens, straight from the team who does it.
- A few resident sloths may make a special appearance.
- Perfect for the curious, the caretakers, and future vet techs.
- Live Q/A opportunity with the team
Meet the Sloth of the Month with Elly King (AKA ChoEllyopus): Say hello to Etta, October’s Sloth of the Month, straight from the team that knows her best.
- 2:00 PM CST (Costa Rican Time) | Up to 45 Minutes (approx.)
- Hear Etta’s story and how every Adopt-a-Sloth tier, from Advocate to Hero, helps fund her care.
- A sweet surprise awaits Etta’s biggest fans.
- Perfect for anyone thinking about adopting a sloth this Slothtober.
WEAR OR HANG YOUR SUPPORT WITH EXCLUSIVE SLOTHTOBERFEST MERCH
This year’s limited-edition Slothtoberfest tee and our first internationally available TSI 2027 Calendar are both part of the celebration!
We must sell at least 50 shirts/sweaters for the fundraising to go to print and for everyone to receive their order, so please like, share, and purchase for early holiday gifts!
Every purchase, ticket, and adoption this month goes toward our $15,000 fundraising goal, funding the rescue, rehabilitation, and release work that makes every one of these stories possible.
Sloths were born to be wild. This October, help make sure they get to stay that way.
For $99 (or $75 before Oct 10), unlock all ticketed events.
Starting at $35, fund her care and meet her live on October 20.
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