Florida Fish and Wildlife reports that 31 sloths have died after being imported from South America to a facility in Orlando.
ORLANDO, FL — Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Fuhua) reported that 31 sloths died at an Orlando wildlife facility after the animals were imported from Guyana and Peru.
On August 7, 2025, FWC conducted an unannounced routine inspection, the results of which were later made public in response to a Freedom of Information Act request from Inside Climate News. During inspections, wildlife officials found that 21 sloths imported from Guyana and 10 sloths imported from Peru were dead.
The sloths were taken to the wildlife facility on International Drive in Orlando, which is associated with Sloth World.
Sloth World is expected to open this year and plans to offer one-hour tours for $49.
Owner Peter Bandre asylum world importAccording to Sunbiz, he was also present during the August inspection, the FWC said.
The commission also said Bandre was a business partner of Benjamin Agresta, the company’s registered agent. Sloth world Located in Orlando, Sunbiz reports.
Agresta told Inside Climate News that the national report on the sloth’s death was “complete fiction.”
In December 2024, the FWC reported that 21 sloths “died from what Mr. Bandre called ‘cold stunning.'” Then, in February 2025, 10 more sloths died after arriving from Peru. Eight people died due to health problems, two of whom died on arrival, according to Bandre’s statement to the FWC.
One of the issues that appears to be affecting the sloths’ health is that the facility has no running water or electricity during the winter of 2024, leading to cooler temperatures ahead of some sloths’ arrival.
“Multiple space heaters were purchased but had to be powered by extension cords from different buildings,” the FWC said. “The space heater had a blown fuse and shut off, and it appeared the sloths were in the cold building without heat for at least one night. No one was present to correct the problem overnight.”
The FWC report states that officers who inspected the facility found six sloths in the location at the time. FWC issues verbal warning after pointing out some cages are not up to code Requirements set forth in Florida Administrative Codearguing that some of the cages were not properly labeled and the cages had no written records to indicate “when these sloths were put into these smaller cages.”
According to the FWC, Bandre and two staff members were cleaning cages and caring for the sloths, and after giving the warning, they placed the smaller cage inside the larger cage so the sloths could move between cages if they chose.
Sloth World says it will be the world’s first “sloth pavilion.” Its mission “focuses on sloth education, conservation and rehabilitation, providing a safe home for displaced animals while educating guests through meaningful, conservation-focused experiences. Each visit supports ongoing sloth conservation efforts and helps inspire a deeper understanding of their natural behaviors.” According to its website.
10 Tampa Bay News reached out to Sloth World for comment but had not received a response as of press time.
Sloth World could open within the next month, with its website stating that “Sloth World is in ‘renovation mode,’ installing our rainforest and testing systems. Expected to open within 25 days.”
