Thirty-one sloths planned for a new 'slothnarium' in Florida have died before the attraction's planned opening, authorities have found. The mammals were to be showcased at a permanent, public exhibit at Sloth World in Orlando, set to open this spring. Many of the sloths died due to conditions at a Florida warehouse where they'd been shipped, according to a report released by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Others arrived in Florida already dead or appeared in ill health and later died, as stated in the report.
The owner of Sloth World has denied allegations in the report and said there is 'so much false and inaccurate information out there right now'. The truth is, we lost sloths that had a virus which showed barely any symptoms and was undetectable even after necropsy, Ben Agresta, the owner of Sloth World, told Fox-35 in Orlando.
Sloth World is marketed as Orlando's only 'slotharium,' boasting a rainforest-inspired habitat designed for sloth well-being. However, the FWC report outlines two significant instances where sloths died before the opening. In December 2024, 21 sloths shipped from Guyana died due to cold conditions at the warehouse they were in. In February 2025, two of ten sloths arriving from Peru were found dead, while the remaining eight appeared emaciated and later succumbed to health issues.
Investigators were informed that the warehouse where the sloths were kept was not properly equipped for the animals. Space heaters that were meant to keep the animals warm had malfunctioned, leaving the sloths without heat. Historical weather data indicated lows of 46F (7C) were recorded within a week of their arrival.
The FWC's investigation found that in two instances, the sloths were kept in inadequate cages that did not meet wildlife captive requirements, leading to a verbal warning. The FWC closed its investigation without a formal warning or citation, yet several other regulatory bodies are still conducting investigations. Local media reports indicate that the remaining sloths are now being housed at another zoo in Central Florida.
This situation has sparked criticism from lawmakers and animal rights advocates, with Florida state Rep Anna Eskamani highlighting gaps in wildlife permit regulations. The Sloth Conservation Foundation and the Sloth Institute had previously voiced concerns about the planned operation of Sloth World, stressing that the stress from captivity and transport can lead to serious health issues or death for sloths. These revelations point toward a need for stricter regulations and better standards for animal welfare in captivity.
The owner of Sloth World has denied allegations in the report and said there is 'so much false and inaccurate information out there right now'. The truth is, we lost sloths that had a virus which showed barely any symptoms and was undetectable even after necropsy, Ben Agresta, the owner of Sloth World, told Fox-35 in Orlando.
Sloth World is marketed as Orlando's only 'slotharium,' boasting a rainforest-inspired habitat designed for sloth well-being. However, the FWC report outlines two significant instances where sloths died before the opening. In December 2024, 21 sloths shipped from Guyana died due to cold conditions at the warehouse they were in. In February 2025, two of ten sloths arriving from Peru were found dead, while the remaining eight appeared emaciated and later succumbed to health issues.
Investigators were informed that the warehouse where the sloths were kept was not properly equipped for the animals. Space heaters that were meant to keep the animals warm had malfunctioned, leaving the sloths without heat. Historical weather data indicated lows of 46F (7C) were recorded within a week of their arrival.
The FWC's investigation found that in two instances, the sloths were kept in inadequate cages that did not meet wildlife captive requirements, leading to a verbal warning. The FWC closed its investigation without a formal warning or citation, yet several other regulatory bodies are still conducting investigations. Local media reports indicate that the remaining sloths are now being housed at another zoo in Central Florida.
This situation has sparked criticism from lawmakers and animal rights advocates, with Florida state Rep Anna Eskamani highlighting gaps in wildlife permit regulations. The Sloth Conservation Foundation and the Sloth Institute had previously voiced concerns about the planned operation of Sloth World, stressing that the stress from captivity and transport can lead to serious health issues or death for sloths. These revelations point toward a need for stricter regulations and better standards for animal welfare in captivity.
