31 Sloths Die in Transit and Storage Ahead of Florida “Slotharium” Opening
Thirty-one sloths intended to be the star attractions at a new «slotharium» in Florida have died before the venue could even open its doors to the public, BBC reports.
The animals were destined for Sloth World, a permanent exhibit in Orlando that was scheduled to launch this spring. However, a recent report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) revealed that many of the mammals perished due to inadequate conditions at a holding warehouse while others arrived in the state severely ill or already dead.
Ben Agresta, the owner of Sloth World, has firmly pushed back against the FWC’s findings. Speaking to local broadcaster Fox-35 he claimed the circulated information was largely false and inaccurate. He stated that the animals actually succumbed to a virtually undetectable virus that presented minimal symptoms prior to their deaths.
Marketed as the only facility of its kind in Orlando, Sloth World promised a rainforest-style environment tailored specifically to the well-being of the species. Yet the official FWC dossier paints a grim picture of two separate fatal shipments.
Previous cases
In December 2024 a group of 21 sloths transported from Guyana died after being subjected to freezing temperatures inside a Florida warehouse. Peter Bandre, the attraction’s vice-president who is touted online as a leading sloth expert, reportedly told investigators that the facility was not adequately prepared to house the animals but claimed it was too late to halt the delivery.
The building lacked running water and electricity. Temporary space heaters were brought in but tripped a fuse, leaving the tropical creatures without warmth for at least one night. Native to rainforests where temperatures hover between 21C and 30C, the sloths were exposed to a severe cold snap where local lows plummeted to 7C. Bandre attributed the mass fatality to a «cold stun».
A subsequent shipment from Peru in February 2025 resulted in further tragedy. Out of 10 sloths transported, two were dead on arrival. The remaining eight were described as emaciated and eventually died from severe health complications.
During their inspections FWC officials also discovered that the enclosures managed by Bandre failed to meet captive wildlife standards, resulting in a verbal warning. Despite the horrific death toll the FWC concluded its primary investigation without issuing any formal citations, though a spokesperson confirmed that multiple other regulatory agencies are now involved.
More violations uncovered
Adding to the attraction’s woes, Orange County’s Building Safety office issued a stop-work order at the warehouse following alleged violations of state and local building codes. It remains uncertain if the tourist hotspot will ever open. Local media reports indicate that more than a dozen surviving sloths have since been relocated to a different zoo in Central Florida.
The distressing revelations have sparked outrage among politicians and animal welfare advocates alike. Florida State Representative Anna Eskamani criticised the current legal framework, highlighting a significant loophole that does not require the FWC to be notified of animal deaths.
Conservation groups including the Sloth Institute and the Sloth Conservation Foundation had previously raised alarm bells about the Orlando project. Sam Trull, executive director of The Sloth Institute, explained that removing sloths from their natural forest canopies and shipping them internationally often leads to severe dietary issues, immense stress and ultimately death.
