Wildlife officials in Florida have reported that 31 sloths imported from South America for a planned tourist attraction called Sloth World died in a storage warehouse between December 2024 and February 2025. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said the animals, sourced from Peru and Guyana, perished in conditions described as inadequate.
According to an FWC incident report, the facility's then-owner, Peter Bandre, stated that 21 two-toed sloths from Guyana died from 'cold stun' after temporary heaters failed. The warehouse had no power or running water, with heaters run by extension cables from a neighbouring building. The other ten sloths from Peru arrived emaciated; two were dead on arrival, and the rest succumbed to poor health.
An FWC inspection in August 2025 found that cages did not meet welfare regulations, but no fines were issued. The owners received a verbal warning for a 'captive wildlife discrepancy'. Animal advocacy groups have called for Orange County officials to halt Sloth World's planned opening next month and for an inquiry into the importation of wild animals.
Nicole Barrantes of World Animal Protection US condemned the conditions, stating: 'These solitary, reclusive animals were brutally taken from their natural habitat, left to starve and freeze, and eventually die of infection.' Congressman Maxwell Frost said his office was investigating the tragedy, calling it 'appalling'.
Orange County building inspectors issued a 'stop work' order after finding the warehouse permitted for vehicle storage, not animals, with unauthorised modifications. Sloth World's website describes it as the only 'slotharium', with over 40 sloths, and lists Bandre as a respected expert, though he has since left the business. The attraction's current owner, Ben Agresta, did not comment.
