Orlando, Fla. — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has launched an investigation into the deaths of at least 31 sloths at a warehouse in Orlando, Florida, linked to the now-closed Sloth World Orlando attraction. The deaths occurred between December 2024 and February 2025, prior to the facility's scheduled opening. The investigation highlights severe welfare violations, including improper temperature control, stress from transport, and inadequate diets, leading to the permanent shutdown of the attraction.
Investigation Findings and Conditions
According to an FWC report, the sloths were not kept at correct temperatures and suffered from stomach problems due to improper diets. The agency identified two separate incidents involving the deaths. In December 2024, 21 sloths died shortly after their arrival. A subsequent shipment from Peru in February 2025 resulted in the deaths of 10 more sloths. Investigators believe the December deaths were caused by "cold stun," with the lowest recorded temperature in the warehouse reaching 46 degrees Fahrenheit on December 22.
Further reports indicate that at least 21 additional sloths died since the FWC's last unannounced inspection in August 2025. The investigation also found that sloths were kept in cages that did not comply with captive wildlife requirements, resulting in a verbal warning at the time. A former co-owner alleged that the warehouse lacked running water and electricity initially, relying on space heaters powered by extension cords from a nearby building. A tripped fuse reportedly left the animals without heat for at least one night.
Facility Closure and Survivor Status
Sloth World Orlando, which had been working toward opening a 7,500-square-foot, cage-free rainforest environment, has been forced to shutter permanently. The Sloth Conservation Foundation and The Sloth Institute announced the closure on April 24. Following the rescue of 13 sloths from the facility, veterinary staff at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens began caring for the survivors. However, the situation remains critical; Bandit, one of the transferred sloths, died on April 29 due to lethargy, dehydration, and gastrointestinal complications.
Political and Legal Repercussions
The incident has sparked political scrutiny regarding wildlife permitting laws. Florida state Rep. Anna Eskamani stated that the situation revealed a "major gap" in wildlife permitting because the facility was not required to notify the state when animals died. U.S. Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost expressed appall at the conditions, noting that the sloths were placed in a packed warehouse without proper heating.
Current owner Ben Agresta has disputed the allegations, claiming the facility was managing a foreign virus and denying rumors of cold stun or lack of utilities. He stated that the company prioritized animal health and invested millions in care. Despite these claims, the FWC continues its probe into the welfare of the remaining sloth population and the operational failures that led to the tragedy.
