A concerning situation has unfolded in Orlando, Florida, surrounding the upcoming opening of Sloth World Orlando, a planned 7,500-square-foot cage-free rainforest habitat for sloths.

Investigation Reveals High Sloth Mortality Rate

Investigations by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) have revealed the deaths of at least 31 sloths while under the care of Sloth World Orlando between December 2024 and February 2025. Specifically, 21 sloths died shortly after arriving in December 2024.

A subsequent shipment of 10 sloths from Peru in February 2025 also resulted in fatalities.

Allegations of Inadequate Conditions

The FWC’s preliminary assessment points to ‘cold stun’ as a primary cause of death for the initial group of sloths, exacerbated by inadequate conditions within the warehouse used to house them. A former co-owner alleges the warehouse lacked essential utilities like running water and electricity.

The former co-owner claims space heaters, powered by an extension cord from a neighboring building, were used. A power outage, caused by a tripped fuse, reportedly left the sloths without heat for at least one night when temperatures dipped to 46 degrees Fahrenheit.

Subsequent Shipments and Current Owner's Response

The February shipment from Peru also experienced issues, with two sloths arriving already deceased and the remaining eight exhibiting signs of severe emaciation and poor health before ultimately dying.

The current owner of Sloth World Orlando vehemently denies these allegations, attributing the deaths to a foreign virus. They state the facility is working with veterinarians and the Florida Department of Agriculture to identify and address the issue.

The owner insists claims of inadequate heating, water, or electricity are false and emphasizes their commitment to the sloths’ well-being. They point to a recent FWC inspection and full license renewal as evidence of responsible animal care.

FWC Findings and Delayed Opening

While the FWC did not issue formal violations, citing a lack of ‘intentional misconduct,’ they did provide a verbal warning regarding the size of the sloth enclosures.

The planned opening of Sloth World Orlando, originally scheduled for March 2026, has been delayed and is now anticipated for later in the year. This delay is to address concerns raised by the FWC investigation and operational challenges.

The attraction aims to be a unique, conservation-focused experience. However, the recent revelations have drawn public scrutiny and raised questions about animal welfare.

The situation highlights the complexities of importing and caring for exotic animals, particularly those with specific environmental needs. Investigators have identified cold exposure, transport stress, and pre-existing health conditions as contributing factors to the deaths.