The FWC has suspended sloth imports for 60 days while lawmakers push for a criminal investigation into the operators of Sloth World.
ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida wildlife officials are temporarily halting imports of sloths from foreign countries after plans for the Sloth World attraction in Orlando resulted in their deaths. More than 50 of them died.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued an executive order Wednesday suspending imports of sloths from foreign points of entry for 60 days.
The FWC said it took this action “due to the recent deaths of multiple sloths with systemic disease that were recently imported into the United States and held in captivity in Florida.”
The order refers to an investigation into dozens of sloths that were brought to Florida from Guyana and Peru and held at a facility on International Drive ahead of the opening of the planned tourist attraction.
“More than 50 wild sloths have died in deplorable conditions at Orange County’s so-called ‘Sloth World’ facility: no stable heat, inadequate fencing and sometimes no running water or electricity,” state Rep. Anna Eskamani said in a statement. statement.
FWC inspection reports show that 31 of the sloths died between December 2024 and February 2025. Most of the animals died when temperatures inside the facility dropped to the 40 to 55 degree Fahrenheit range, while others died from unspecified “health issues,” according to a state report.
On April 24, Sloth World moved several surviving sloths to the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens for rehabilitation. Eskamani added that three of the sloths died from injuries sustained before they were rescued.
Autopsy reports showed that the three sloths – named Bandit, Habanero and Dumpling – all died of emaciation, according to the zoo.
Some sloths, including Mr. JiangThe sloth, the smallest and youngest of the group, remains in critical condition.
“We will continue to treat our remaining sloths with the highest level of care and hope for the best,” the zoo wrote.
Rep. Escamy said she is working with the FWC, the Sloth Research Institute and the Sloth Conservation Foundation to push for a full criminal investigation into the operators of Sloth World.
She also said she’s working to reform the state’s sloth licensing system, which “led to this tragedy in the first place.”
