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Chispa's mother sacrificed herself during a violent storm, ensuring her baby survived. Orphaned, Chispa was cared for by Latte, a surrogate mama who taught her how to thrive. Chispa later became a mother herself, proving that love and motherhood create lasting legacies. This Mother's Day, we honor Chispa's journey as a beautiful example of the bond between mothers and their children—biological, adopted, or chosen.

In December 2015, Toucan Rescue Ranch received an urgent call from the Environment Ministry (MINAE) in Tortuguero. A mother sloth and her baby were critically injured after a storm caused the mother to fall onto a concrete slab. After a challenging journey, they arrived at the ranch cold and hypothermic. The mother was unresponsive and suffered severe head wounds, while her baby, Chispa, had a damaged eye. Despite emergency surgeries, the mother succumbed to her injuries, leaving Chispa alone.

The future seemed uncertain for Chispa, but our team at Toucan Rescue Ranch had a plan. We introduced her to Latte, a oneyearold sloth who had also lost her mother, hoping she would embrace the orphaned Chispa. Latte accepted her with warmth and love, teaching Chispa to climb trees and eat leaves. After years of rehabilitation, Chispa was released into the wild, where she thrived alongside her surrogate mother. In June 2019, Chispa became a mother herself, giving birth to a baby named Chispita. This was a beautiful testament to her resilience and strength.

Although Chispa has since passed away, her story is one of hope and success. She lived the rest of her life in the wild, experiencing the freedom she deserved. And most importantly, her legacy lives on through Chispita, who carries forward the love and strength her mother embodied. As we approach Mother's Day, we celebrate the enduring bond between mothers and their children, whether it's in the wild or at home. Chispa's story reminds us that with compassion and care, life can continue to flourish.

This Mother's Day, please consider donating to Toucan Rescue Ranch to help more stories like Chispa's and Chispita's become a reality. Or, consider purchasing items from our wish list of supplies to show precious little sloths like these how much they are loved and cared for! Anything, even $10 or a single item, goes a long way. Thank you, and Happy Mother’s Day!