The Sloth and Her Baby: A Touching Encounter in the Sooretama Biological Reserve

Leonardo Merçon
Sep 4
2 min read

The forest felt unusually quiet on a pleasant morning. We were on another expedition for the book about the Sooretama Biological Reserve, one of the most biodiverse places I’ve ever visited in Espírito Santo.

Among the trails and towering trees, an excited call from one of my field partners, Mário Candeias, led me to one of the most sensitive scenes I’ve ever photographed: a Brown-throated Sloth crossing branches with her baby clinging tightly to her back.

The moment was delicate, almost magical. The soft morning light filtered through the canopy, illuminating the scene perfectly for a photograph.

With slow and precise movements, the mother sloth moved from one tree to another, while the tiny baby held on gently to her fur — as if knowing that her embrace was the safest place in the world.

Sloth and Her Baby in different moments at Rebio Sooretama | Photos: Leonardo Merçon

It’s no exaggeration to say that an image like this has a unique power to touch people. I believe that when people witness such tenderness between mother and baby in the wild, many understand — perhaps for the very first time — why we fight so hard for conservation.

Between Beauty and Urgency

To me, the sloth is one of the most endearing animals in Brazilian wildlife. Perhaps only rivaled in cuteness by the otter — though it’s a tough tie in my book as a nature lover. What is easy to see, however, is how these creatures spark an immediate sense of affection in those who observe them. And that’s a powerful key in environmental communication.

That’s why, whenever I have the opportunity to capture such a special moment, I feel compelled to share it. Because I truly believe that wonder is the first step toward engagement. Nature needs us to fall in love with it — only then will we choose to protect it.

Spaces and nature of Sooretama Biological Reserve | Photos: Leonardo Merçon

Share this story with someone who also needs to feel this love for nature.

If you’d like to keep following stories like this and many other adventures I’ve experienced across Brazil (and around the world), follow me on social media: @leonardomercon | @ultimosrefugios