Dozens of sloths that were held in captivity for the proposed Orlando Sloth World attraction have died, according to authorities. Fox 35 News reported that at least 55 sloths have died in connection with the attraction as of May 7. The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens is now caring for a dozen sloths that were donated and are currently in a 30-day quarantine.
On April 24, the Central Florida Zoo received a donation of 13 sloths, including Bandit. Upon arrival, they were all dehydrated and underweight. They are currently in a 30-day quarantine with their nutrition and health “closely monitored by professionals.” The zoo announced the deaths of three sloths since the donation despite their care teams’ efforts.
The discovery was made by the FWC following an unannounced inspection of a warehouse at International Drive. The report stated that a shipment of sloths from Guyana was received before the building was ready. The warehouse had no water or electricity. Space heaters were used with electricity from another building. The space heaters tripped a fuse, leaving the sloths without heat for at least one night. Additionally, the cages the sloths were in at the warehouse were too small and did not meet standard caging requirements.
Sloth World, originally planned to open in February, was located at International Drive in Orlando. According to their website, the 7,500-square-foot “Slotharium” was intended to be an “ethical, expert-led rainforest experience.” Fox 35 News reported that Ben Agresta, the owner of Sloth World, declared bankruptcy and that the attraction will not reopen.
Sloth World has faced much scrutiny. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals submitted a complaint to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on April 30, calling for an investigation into animal cruelty. Rebecca Cliffe, the founder and executive director of The Sloth Conservation Foundation, an international nonprofit, is preparing to pursue legal action against Agresta, according to WESH 2. United States Representative Maxwell Frost implored the Secretary of Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture to investigate. State Rep. and Orlando mayoral candidate Anna Eskamani requested that Attorney General James Uthmeier criminally investigate the attraction.
“The loss of dozens of animals under preventable conditions demands accountability,” Eskamani said.
According to the Central Florida Zoo, they will temporarily assume ownership of the sloths until each one is stable and placed at an Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited facility. In the meantime, the Central Florida Zoo has received a shipment from the Los Angeles Zoo containing fecal samples from healthy sloths to support a treatment called fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) to improve the sloths’ digestive health.