The planned opening of a new animal attraction in Orlando, Florida, has been overshadowed by the deaths of 31 sloths in the months leading up to its scheduled debut. According to an incident report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the animals died while being held in a warehouse facility intended to help them acclimate before transfer to the permanent exhibit at Sloth World Orlando.
The deaths occurred between December 2024 and February 2025, prior to the attraction’s planned March 1, 2025 opening. Two shipments of sloths arrived from South America: one in December 2024 from Guyana and another in February 2025 from Peru. Of the 21 two-toed sloths from Guyana, officials reported that they died from a “cold stun” after temporary space heaters failed in the warehouse. The facility lacked running water and electricity, and the heaters were powered via extension cords from a neighboring building. When the fuse tripped, the sloths were left without heat for at least one night, exposing them to temperatures that can be fatal for the species.
Sloths require a warm, tropical environment to survive, ideally between 81 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, according to The Sloth Conservation Foundation. Temperatures below 68 degrees can be life-threatening. The FWC noted that under Florida law, Sloth World was not obligated to report the deaths to the agency at the time, but the incident came to light during a routine, unannounced inspection in August 2025, prompting a formal probe into the care and safety of the animals.
The second shipment, consisting of 10 sloths from Peru, saw two animals die on arrival, with the remaining eight succumbing to “poor health issues” after appearing emaciated. During the August 2025 inspection, FWC officials also found that the cages being used to house the sloths were too tiny for individual animals and did not meet welfare regulations. Photographs included in the incident report showed cramped enclosures that restricted the sloths’ natural movement.
Sloth World Orlando was promoted as the world’s first “slotharium,” a dedicated exhibit for the slow-moving mammals native to Central and South America. The attraction was slated to open on International Drive, a major tourist corridor in Orlando. However, following the FWC’s findings, the site was issued a stop-work order in April 2026, halting any further development or preparations for opening.
The co-owner of Sloth World, identified in the FWC report as Peter Bandre, told inspectors that the warehouse had no utilities of its own and that the extension cord setup was a workaround to maintain the sloths warm. He stated that it was too late to cancel the shipments once they were en route. The FWC’s investigation remains ongoing, and no charges have been filed as of the latest available information.
Animal welfare advocates have raised concerns about the broader implications of the incident, particularly regarding the transport and acclimatization of tropical species to non-native climates for commercial exhibits. The Sloth Conservation Foundation emphasizes that sloths are highly sensitive to environmental stress and require specialized care, including stable temperatures, humidity control, and appropriate diet, all of which are challenging to maintain in temporary or inadequate facilities.
As of April 2026, the future of Sloth World Orlando remains uncertain. The stop-work order issued by the FWC prevents any progress toward opening until the facility demonstrates compliance with animal welfare standards. No official timeline has been provided for when or if the attraction will be allowed to proceed. The FWC has not announced a date for the conclusion of its investigation or any potential enforcement actions.
For updates on the status of the Sloth World Orlando project and the ongoing FWC review, the public can refer to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s official website or contact the agency directly. The incident has drawn international attention, with coverage appearing in news outlets across Europe and North America.
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