Full Breakdown
Sloth World’s Unopened Attraction Mired in 31 Sloth Deaths
4/25/2026, 8:51:27 AM
Incident Overview
A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) report documents that 31 sloths imported from Guyana and Peru died while housed in a warehouse near the planned Sloth World attraction on International Drive, Orlando. The animals arrived in two shipments—21 sloths from Guyana in December 2024 and 10 sloths from Peru in February 2025. The warehouse lacked permanent electricity and water; temporary space heaters failed, exposing the animals to temperatures as low as 46 °F. FWC attributes the 21 Guyana deaths to “cold stun” and the Peru deaths to “poor health issues.”
Timeline of Key Events
- 18 Dec 2024: 21 sloths (15 two-toed, 6 three-toed) from Guyana delivered to the warehouse.
- 22 Dec 2024: Temperature drops to 46 °F; heater fuse trips, leaving the building unheated.
- Dec 2024 – Jan 2025: All 21 Guyana sloths die, classified as “cold stun.”
- Feb 2025: 10 two-toed sloths from Peru arrive; 2 are dead on arrival, 8 later die from emaciation and poor health.
- Aug 2025: Unannounced FWC inspection finds six sloths still present, notes two cages undersized, issues a verbal warning for cage-size violations.
- 24 Apr 2026: Media outlets release the FWC findings; Congressman Maxwell Frost announces a congressional inquiry; Orange County issues a stop-work order for the warehouse.
Data & Statistics
- Total imported sloths: 31.
- Guyana shipment: 21 (all deceased).
- Peru shipment: 10 (2 dead on arrival, 8 later deceased).
- Two cages measured 33 in × 22½ in × 4 ft 7½ in, below the legal 4 ft × 6 ft × 8 ft minimum.
- No fines or citations issued; only a verbal warning for cage-size non-compliance.
Official Statements & Responses
- Sloth World (spokesperson) asserts the deaths resulted from a “foreign virus,” rejects “cold-stun” claims, and notes that a recent FWC inspection found “no wrongdoing” and renewed its license.
- FWC concludes the Guyana deaths were caused by cold exposure and the Peru deaths by poor health, documenting cage-size violations and issuing a verbal warning.
- Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL) said he was “appalled” by the incident, requested USDA involvement, and pledged to coordinate with local officials.
- Nicole Barrantes, wildlife campaign manager for World Animal Protection US, described the conditions as “torturous” and called for action against the wildlife trade.
- Orange County building officials reported the warehouse was permitted for vehicle storage, not animal housing, and issued a stop-work order.
Criticism & Opposition
- Rebecca Cliffe, founder of the Sloth Conservation Foundation, warned that sloths cannot regulate body temperature and that removing wild individuals “normalizes wildlife extraction.”
- The Sloth Institute emphasized that wild-caught sloths face high mortality and that there is “no justification in 2026 for acquiring wild sloths for exhibition.”
- PETA representative Debbie Metzler labeled the incident “mass death by greed” and urged a boycott of the attraction.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- FWC attributes deaths to temperature-related “cold stun” and health decline, while Sloth World attributes them to a “foreign virus” and calls the agency’s findings “entirely false.”
- The investigation did not result in formal violations, leaving a regulatory gap regarding mandatory reporting of wildlife mortality.
- Health status of the six sloths observed during the August 2025 inspection was not disclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I am appalled to hear about the 31 sloths who died under the ‘care’ of the not yet opened Sloth World in Orlando,” — Maxwell Frost, U.S. Representative
- “The torturous conditions these sloths were subjected to are a tragic example of the cruel and unethical wildlife trade.” — Nicole Barrantes, World Animal Protection US
- “We are aware of rumors such as claiming that our sloths were ‘cold-stunned’ or left without water and electricity. These claims are entirely false,” — Sloth World spokesperson
- “Conservation cannot be retrofitted on to models that rely on wildlife removal. There is no justification in 2026 for acquiring wild sloths for exhibition.” — Rebecca Cliffe, Sloth Conservation Foundation
What’s Next
Orange County’s stop-work order remains pending compliance with building codes. Congressman Frost’s USDA request may trigger a federal permit review. Sloth World’s website lists the attraction as “in decoration mode,” and the opening date remains uncertain.
