Sloth World's Opening Marred by Dozens of Animal Deaths

Florida's eagerly anticipated Sloth World attraction faces an uncertain future following the deaths of 31 sloths intended for its exhibits. The facility, set to open in Orlando this spring, is now under scrutiny after a report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) detailed the tragic loss of the animals.

The FWC report outlines two separate incidents that led to the sloths' demise. In December 2024, 21 sloths shipped from Guyana died due to cold conditions in a Florida warehouse. Investigators found that heating systems failed, leaving the tropical animals exposed to temperatures as low as 46F (7C) for at least one night. In February 2025, two of ten sloths arriving from Peru were already dead, and the remaining eight succumbed to poor health and emaciation.

While the owner of Sloth World attributes the deaths to an undetectable virus, FWC investigators noted inadequate care and conditions. The vice-president of the attraction informed investigators that the warehouse was not properly prepared for the animals, and it was too late to cancel the shipment. Additionally, the FWC found instances where sloths were housed in cages not meeting captive wildlife requirements, resulting in a verbal warning.

Several regulatory bodies are now investigating the animal deaths, and Orange County's Building Safety office has issued a stop work order at the warehouse. The fate of Sloth World's opening remains unclear. Meanwhile, more than a dozen remaining sloths are reportedly being cared for by another zoo in Central Florida. The incident has drawn criticism from lawmakers and animal rights advocates, highlighting potential gaps in wildlife permit regulations.