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Sloth World: Florida leaders demand state, federal investigations after sloth deaths

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:54:33 -0400

Two Florida leaders have asked for state and federal investigations into Sloth World Orlando and its owners after more than 50 sloths shipped to Florida from South America died under its care, following several investigative reports from FOX 35 News.

State Rep. Anna Eskamani asked Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier to open an investigation to see if any Florida laws may have been broken. Congressman Maxwell Frost sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rolins asking the USDA to open its own investigation.

PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, also issued a statement demanding the Florida Department of Law Enforcement open a potential criminal investigation.

No one associated with Sloth World has been named a suspect or the target of an investigation, nor have any citations or charges been filed against anyone connected to the attraction.

Between December 2024 and February 2025, 30 sloths brought to Florida to be part of Sloth World Orlando, a guided sloth experience being built on International Drive, died, according to FWC reports. Those sloths were stored in a makeshift warehouse not far from where the attraction was under construction. Many died due to cold temperatures or other issues, records state.

Since then, more shipments of sloths were brought to Florida, where records show many of them also died, according to FWC records obtained by FOX 35. Some arrived dead on arrival, others died shortly after arrival, records said. At least two died after getting into a fight with one another, one report stated.

Last week, 13 sloths were removed from the warehouse and donated to the Central Florida Zoo, where they have undergone daily treatment. Many of the sloths were dehydrated and underweight, zoo officials said. One sloth, named Bandit, died.

After donating the sloths, Ben Agresta, the owner of Sloth World, told FOX 35 that he would no longer open the Orlando attraction and would likely file for bankruptcy. He denied that any of his sloths died from cold temperatures and, instead, blamed a "foreign virus."

"There is so much false and inaccurate information out there right now. The truth is, we lost sloths that had a virus of which showed barely any symptoms and was undetectable even after necropsy," he said in a statement at the time.

Congressman Maxwell Frost

Following FOX 35's initial reporting, Congressman Maxwell Frost said in a post on X that he had sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rolins asking the USDA to open its own investigation.

"These sloths — naturally solitary animals — were put in the worst conditions possible. They were taken from their natural habitats to a packed warehouse that wasn’t properly heated and allowed for the spread of deadly viruses, leading to a stress-induced death," Frost said in a statement on X.

FOX 35 has reached out to the USDA for comment. A spokesperson previously confirmed that no one affiliated with Sloth World had an active permit with the USDA or the Animal Welfare Act.

When reached Wednesday and Thursday for a statement on the call for an investigation, the spokesperson said in an email: "At this time, we don’t have additional information to share."

State Rep. Anna Eskamani

Wednesday night, State Rep. Anna Eskamani said she sent a letter to Attorney General James Uthmeier to open an investigation to see whether any animal cruelty laws were broken as a result of the sloth deaths.

"The loss of dozens of animals under preventable conditions demands accountability. These reports raise not only questions of
individual responsibility, but also broader concerns about regulatory oversight and enforcement," she wrote.

PETA on Sloth World Orlando

Thursday morning, PETA issued the following statement, asking the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to

"These sloths were snatched from their rainforest homes and endured a terrifying journey thousands of miles away before being left to die in a barren warehouse equipped to store cars, not living beings," said PETA Foundation Associate General Counsel of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Jonathan Morris in a statement.

"Wild animals are not props for roadside attractions, and PETA is calling on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to hold Bandre and Agresta accountable for their actions and ensure that they never own animals again."

FWC: No criminal intent found in Sloth World sloth deaths

The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission said it has records of at least 11 shipments of sloths into Florida between December 2024 and March 2026.

The agency said it conducted four inspections after the August 2025 inspection:

March 9, 2026
March 19, 2026
March 24, 2026

In each of those reports, inspectors did not note serious violations or issue any citations. In the August 2025 inspection, there were six sloths in the facility. The inspector gave a "verbal warning" after two sloths were found to be stored in cages that did not meet the legal requirements. The facility also did not have a written log of when those sloths were put into those smaller cages, which is a requirement.

According to the FWC, sloths can be put in smaller cages under certain conditions, but only for a maximum of 60 days.

No citations were issued or charges were filed in the December 2024 sloth deaths because the FWC did not find "intentional mal-conduct or demonstration of an inability/unwillingness to comply with captive wildlife rules," the agency said.

"Circumstances as discovered did not rise to the level of criminal intent and the owner had already installed numerous improvements to prevent this from reoccurring," the agency said.

Bandit, 1 of 13 Sloth World rescued sloths, dies, zoo says

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:22:17 -0400

Bandit, one of 13 Sloth World Orlando sloths rescued from a warehouse in Orlando and taken to the Central Florida Zoo, died Wednesday, the zoo announced.

"We are saddened to share that, despite our best efforts, Bandit, one of 13 sloths recently accepted into our care, passed today," the zoo said in a statement.

Bandit was considered to be in the poorest health of all the sloths since he arrived last Friday, the zoo's team told FOX 35 News. He has signs of severe lethargy, dehydration, nutritional and electrolyte imbalances, and gastrointestinal issues. He had yet to climb up to his perch to hang, instead, remaining on the ground in his cage.

Since then, the zoo's vet teams have provided him with food, fluids, blood monitoring, glucose and vitamin supplements, the zoo said. However, his health declined rapidly on Wednesday morning, leading the team to decide on human euthanasia, the zoo said.

"Bandit’s progress looked hopeful at times, but this morning, his condition took a turn for the worse and declined rapidly. Despite best efforts and continual care from our vet and animal care teams, the difficult decision was make for humane euthanasia once it appeared clear that he would not recover from today’s downturn" - Blog update on Bandit

"We are heartbroken by the loss. Our team did everything possible to give him the best chance at survival and ensure he was comfortable in his final days" - CEO Richard Glover

How are the 12 other sloths doing?

The Central Florida Zoo said the 12 other sloths were considered to be in "stable" condition.

When they first arrived last Friday, the zoo said in an update that several of them showed signs of dehydration and low body condition. Each sloth is receiving individualized care.

The sloths will remain in quarantine for at least 30 days. They are not visible to the public. Once healthy enough, the zoo will work with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) and the Species Survival Plan Program (SSP) to find long-term homes for them at other animal facilities.

Focus now shifts to Ginger

Ginger is the youngest of the sloths that was brought to the Central Florida Zoo. She has to be hand-fed every few hours and sleeps in an incubator to help regulate her body temperature, CEO Richard Glover told FOX 35.

"She’s adorable, and she’s helping to keep everyone’s spirits a little bit higher than they might be otherwise," Glover said.

FOX 35 Investigations: Multiple shipments of sloths for Sloth World came to Florida; many of them died once they got here

FOX 35's Hannah Mackenzie has been investigating Sloth World Orlando for several months, where questions were quickly raised after more than 30 sloths reportedly died under their care.

According to numerous FWC inspection reports, import documents, permits, and other reports, there have been multiple shipments of sloths from South America to Florida - all intended for Sloth World Orlando.

Those sloths were stored at two make-shift warehouses in Orlando and Orange County, the latter being less than 3 miles from Sloth Orlando, according to FWC documents. Photos shows several stacks of cages.

FWC reports: 31 sloths died in 3 months; more sloths arrived days later

As FOX 35 reported, 31 sloths died between December 2024 and February 2025, part of shipments from Guyana and Peru, according to FWC reports. After that, more shipments of sloths arrived in Florida and more of them died – some rapidly, reports indicate.

How did the sloths die? Here's what the necropsies, vet notes say

According to the FWC's reports, some of the sloths were suspected to have died from cold temperatures or unknown illnesses. In other cases, some sloths died before they arrived, others showed signs of bloating, lethargy, or general weakness, while at least two died after getting into a fight with one another.

Ben Agresta, the owner of Sloth World, denied the FWC's reports to FOX 35 and has denied the total number of sloths that were shipped to Florida or under its care.

He said in a lengthy statement to FOX 35 that the sloths died from a foreign virus and "routine issues."

How come there have been no violations or charges? ‘No malconduct’ to harm sloths, FWC says

Sloth World has received zero violations or citations from the FWC related to these deaths. FWC delivered a verbal warning during one inspection because two sloths were being held in cages that did not meet the legal standard and because there was no record of when those sloths were put into those cages. On another inspection, an investigator noted a cage being too small for a sloth.

When it came to the 31 sloths that died in the three-month span, a spokesperson for FWC told FOX 35 that no violations or charges were issued because there was ""no intentional malconduct or demonstration of inability/unwillingness to comply with captive wildlife rules."

FOX 35 has continued to ask FWC spokespersons and leadership questions about the care and oversight of the sloths that were being imported. FOX 35 has requested interviews with FWC leadership.

Most of the documents FOX 35 obtained were via public records or Freedom of Information Act requests.

Owner: Sloth World Orlando will not open, will file for bankruptcy

Ben Agresta, the owner of Sloth World, told FOX 35 that his sloth venture, Sloth World, would no longer open in Orlando and that he would likely have to file bankruptcy.

"It's been rough on everybody. We expect to go under the bankruptcy immediately as with our sloth population in full control by AZA and no plans to open, we have no other options," Agresta said to FOX 35's Marie Edinger last week.

He also issued a long statement, claiming there was a lot of "false and inaccurate information out there." FOX 35 has included parts of his statement.

"With a staff of 22 Ambassadors involved in multiple facilities with many members each shift, we put every resource and outside help possible. We all truly feel terrible that this has occurred. None of our staff did anything to ever harm an animal and do not have anything but love and compassion for them. All we wanted was for the betterment of sloths by learning as much as we can and teaching the world about them. All of us have conservation at our hearts, coupled with education. Nothing we could have done could prevent an unknown virus."

Florida lawmakers demand investigations

Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost has demanded an investigation into Sloth World by the USDA and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins following FOX 35's reporting. In his letter, Frost highlights FOX 35's reporting and investigations into Sloth World and some of the sloth deaths.

On Wednesday, Florida state Rep. Anna Eskamani issued a statement and letter to Attorney General James Uthmeier asking that an investigation be opened into Sloth World's owners:

"I write to formally request that the Florida Attorney General’s Office initiate a criminal investigation into the operators of the "Sloth World" facility and any of its related entities in Central Florida. Recent findings documented in incident reports from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) raise serious concerns regarding potential violations of Florida law, including but not limited to animal cruelty under Section 828.12, Florida Statutes, and unlawful acts
involving captive wildlife under Chapter 379, Florida Statutes."

How did many Sloth World sloths die? Necropsy reports detail some of the deaths

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 19:32:50 -0400

FOX 35 News continues to learn more about the number of sloths that were under the care of Sloth World Orlando's teams, including when they arrived in Florida, where, from where, as well as how many died, when, and what issues were potentially noted by vets.

As FOX 35 has reported, 31 sloths, part of two shipments from Guyana and Peru in December 2024 and February 2025, died. After those dates, the Florida Fish & Wildlife conducted several more inspections at Sloth World's holding center on International Drive after more sloths were imported to Florida.

On Aug. 7, 2025, FWC inspectors conducted an unannounced visit to check on the sloths. It was during that visit that the FWC inspector learned about the 31 previous deaths.

Six days later, 10 more sloths arrived from Peru, records said. Some sloths died within days, while eight died within a span of three months.

FOX 35 has counted, based on inspection reports, death reports, and necropsy reports, a total of 52 sloths under Sloth World's care have died.

How did the sloths die?

The December 2024 shipment of sloths primarily died from suspected cold temperatures and illness, FWC reports said. In February 2025, two sloths arrived from Peru already dead, while eight others were described as emaciated and in poor health. All eventually died.

After that visit, 10 more sloths arrived from South America. Eight of them were dead within three months.

Those necropsy reports detail some of the sloths' names and list potential causes of death. FOX 35 cannot verify causes of death for all 52, so far, based on reports, but here are a few we've decided to highlight:

Baloo: He arrived on Aug 13 and died on Nov. 2.
Flash: Arrived with GI issues. We then became weak and lethargic, bloated, and unwell. He died 13 days after arriving.
Gator: Died on Christmas
Tugboat: Died on New Year's Day.
Banky and Picasso: Arrived on Nov. 12, 2025. Both died after getting into a fight with each other three weeks later.

According to reports obtained by FOX 35, more sloths were shipped to Florida this year. At least five sloths died within the last two months, reports say.

Jazz: She died three weeks ago, where a necropsy was reported.

Snuggles, Chili, and Sonic: All three sloths died on March 25. Necropsy reports note vitamin deficiencies. Special notes for Snuggles indicate she was a young sloth.

Snuggles' mom Siesta died in December after being found on the floor of her cage.

Nell: He died in February, also with noted vitamin deficiencies.

For 10 of the sloths, vet notes specifically mention that they were fed brown rice as part of their diet program. At least seven of those sloths died. It isn't clear if their diets, including the rice, were contributing factors in their deaths, or a combination of other factors.

However, one of the veterinarians at the Central Florida Zoo, who is taking care of 13 of Sloth World's sloths, said brown rice should never be part of a sloth's normal diet. She said sloths have unique digestive systems that react to diet and stress acutely. Any changes can make a sloth become ill, she said.

How are the sloths doing at the Central Florida Zoo?

When the sloths first arrived, many of them were dehydrated and underweight, the zoo said. A handful of them were considered to be critical, but have improved.

Bandit is the sole sloth who remains in critical condition. Care teams are monitoring him every hour. The zoo said Bandit has shown signs of lethargy, dehydration, malnutrition, and GI issues. He also has not climbed up on his perch to hang and has instead remained on the ground since he arrived at the zoo.

"Sloths have a very, very unique specialized GI tract, unlike really any other species that we work with," said Dr. Straub. They're micro-biota in their stomach is so unique to sloths that when that is out of whack from things like diet and stress and the environment, it causes them to be very, very ill."

The sloths will remain in quarantine for at least 30 days. From there, the zoo said it will work with the AZA to send them to other accredited facilities.

Orlando 'Sloth World' death count rises; customers demand refunds

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:51:41 -0400

Bandit, a sloth involved in the unopened Orlando attraction "Sloth World," is in critical condition after he was rescued from a warehouse without proper utilities, reports say.

Bandit is one of 13 sloths under the care of the Central Florida Zoo in Sanford. Though Bandit is suffering from several health issues, he's one of the few that survived.

Over 50 sloths connected to Sloth World dead

What happened to the sloths?

In a report, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said some sloths died from cold stun due to the conditions they were in.

The FWC started looking into Sloth World in August of last year, after learning about 31 sloths dying there.

Twenty-one of those sloths arrived from Guyana in a single shipment in December, with the FWC noting the warehouse meant to house them wasn’t ready.

With no electricity, no running water, and faulty space heaters, the sloths died of cold stun, the report says.

Another 10 sloths that arrived from Peru in February were already in poor health, and died shortly after, FOX 35's Marie Edinger reported.

FOX 35 has now learned, Sloth World continued bringing in more and more sloths, even as sloth after sloth kept dying.

A review of veterinarian’s notes and necropsy reports provided by Sloth World revealed that another 21 sloths died after the FWC started its investigation.

Despite these reports, the owner of Sloth World, Ben Agresta, said the sloths didn't die from cold stun, but rather, died from a virus that showed few symptoms.

Agresta said his staff did everything they could to help the sloths and that they feel terrible about what happened.

"None of our staff did anything to ever harm an animal and do not have anything but love and compassion for them," Agresta said in a statement. "All we wanted was for the betterment of sloths by learning as much as we can and teaching the world about them."

What's the current condition of the living sloths?

The zoo said the sloths would be placed in quarantine for at least 30 days, where they will be evaluated by the zoo's staff.

The zoo said it would assume ownership of the sloths – temporarily – while it works with the Species Survival Plan Program to find a long-term placement for them with an AZA-accredited (Association of Zoos & Aquariums) facility. Some of the sloths could remain at the zoo, the release said.

The sloths arrived at the zoo being severely underweight and dehydrated. Now, the zoo reported the sloths are doing better.

"There's a lot of GI problems when they get stressed and also it could be from diseases, parasites, things like that," explained Central Florida Zoo CEO Richard Glover. "And because their digestive systems are so slow, it takes a long time to rectify something like that."

Sloth World to file for bankruptcy

The owner of Sloth World Orlando confirmed to FOX 35 on April 24 that he plans to file for bankruptcy protection, and that he will no longer move forward with plans to open his "slotharium." The owner said, "We have no other options."

Customers demand refunds

After FOX 35 broke the news that Sloth World’s 13 remaining animals were being donated to the Central Florida Zoo, Charity Moore emailed Sloth World demanding a refund.

"I have not gotten a response back in any form or fashion," Moore told FOX 35. "I when I started reading and listening to the news articles of the warehouses and the conditions that things were happening in, absolutely not. I have no desire to support that whatsoever."

She isn’t alone in that – several FOX 35 viewers reached out, saying they hadn’t been able to get their money back so far, though Sloth World’s refund policy says the early access VIP tickets can be refunded for any reason, at any time.

FOX 35’s Marie Edinger also reached out to Sloth World by email, and to its owner by phone asking about refunds and has not received a response.

Central Florida Zoo shares condition update on imported sloths

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 15:25:31 -0400

Officials with The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens shared a positive update on Saturday regarding the 13 sloths imported into their care in connection with the Sloth World investigation.

Zoo officials said all 13 sloths imported have survived their first 24 hours.

The sloths were quickly quarantined and assessed, where many sloths were determined to be dehydrated and underweight, according to zoo officials. All sloths are said to be eating and drinking properly.

A few of the sloths required more critical care due to their condition.

The sloths will remain in quarantine for at least 30 days as they are cared for.

31 sloths died at Sloth World Orlando-owned warehouse: FWC reports

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 18:03:00 -0400

(Update 4/24/26): The Central Florida Zoo said more than a dozen sloths from Sloth World had been donated to them. The zoo is going to evaluate them and then work with the Species Survival Plan Program to find long-term homes for them at other AZA-accredited facilities. Read more.

In a statement to FOX 35, Ben Agresta, the owner of Sloth World, denied reports that the sloths died from cold-stun or other reasons. "There is so much false and inaccurate information out there right now. The truth is, we lost sloths that had a virus of which showed barely any symptoms and was undetectable even after necropsy," he said.

He said since the sloths were moved to the Central Florida Zoo, he has "no plans" to open Sloth Would and would likely file for bankruptcy protection.

Original story

As Sloth World Orlando prepares to open its "slotharium" on Orlando's famed International Drive, some questions are being raised after more than two dozen sloths under its care died, according to reports by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

FOX 35's Hannah Mackenzie has been looking into the reports and the situation for the last several months.

Timeline: How did the sloths get to Florida?

According to the FWC's report, the sloths were ordered in two different shipments:

One shipment from Guyana arrived on December 18, 2024.
The second shipment arrived from Peru in February 2025.

The sloths were housed in a warehouse roughly two minutes from where Sloth World Orlando is preparing to open. That warehouse, according to FWC's report, was designed for "receiving and raising 2-toed and 3-toed sloths that will then be transferred to sloth world for a permanent public exhibit."

That facility would also be used to help evaluate newly-arrived sloths, and help them acclimate, the report said.

Under Florida statute, Sloth World had no obligation to report the deaths. However, during a routine, unannounced inspection in August 2025, the FWC investigators inquired about the previous sloth deaths, which were reported between December 2024 and February 2025, the report said.

FWC: What happened to the sloths? How did they die?

According to FWC's report, 21 sloths died shortly after arriving in December 2024. Another 10 sloths, shipped from Peru in February 2025, also died.

Among the December group, 21 sloths died from "cold stun."

A previous co-owner told FWC, according to the report, that the warehouse was not ready for the incoming sloths, but said it was too late to cancel the shipment. That co-owner alleged that the building did not have running water or electricity for a time.

He then alleged that space heaters were purchased and powered via extension cord from another nearby building, but at some point, the fuse tripped, leaving the sloths without heat for at least one night, the report said.

On Dec. 22, the coldest recorded temperature was 46 degrees, though the average for the day was 56, the report said.

Among the February 2025 shipment in Peru, two sloths were dead on arrival. The remaining eight sloths "appeared emaciated and in very poor health" – and later died, FWC's report said.

Sloth World denies FWC's report, claims sloth deaths were due to a virus

FOX 35's Hannah Mackenzie talked with one of Sloth World Orlando's former co-owners. He is listed in FWC's report, but is no longer associated with the venture, FOX 35 has learned.

He declined an on-camera interview, but over the phone, he challenged FWC's report. He alleged the sloths died from a virus.

He sent FOX 35 the following statement:

"Recently, our facility has been managing a difficult situation involving a foreign virus. We have worked tirelessly alongside our veterinarian, the Florida Department of Agriculture, and other outside experts to successfully identify the virus and address it.

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. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) conducted a thorough inspection of our facility just last week, found absolutely no wrongdoings, and fully renewed our license.

We have always prioritized the health and well-being of our animals, investing millions into their care and habitats. We remain deeply committed to the continued care, safety, and health of our sloth population."

FWC investigation found no ‘intentional mal conduct' in sloth deaths; closed investigation without citations, fines, or permit revocations

According to the FWC, no one associated with Sloth World Orlando was cited or issued any violations related to the sloth deaths.

When asked why 31 dead animals in a warehouse didn’t constitute any kind of reprimand or permit revocation, FWC replied because there was "no intentional mal conduct or demonstration of inability/unwillingness to comply with captive wildlife rules."

Sloth World Orlando given 'verbal warning' over cage sizes

According to the FWC's Captive Wildlife Report, investigators conducted an announced, routine inspection at the warehouse facility in August 2025.

During that inspection, there were six sloths at the facility – believed to be three males and three females. Four were in one cage, while two were in two separate cages.

"These cages are made of metal framing and chain-link fabric and are sitting atop wooden framing to raise the roof height above the floor. Shade cloth on the chain-link is installed to provide the sloths with a sense of seclusion. There are several pieces of bamboo strung throughout each cage to provide for climbing and movement. Elevated cloth perches and nesting dens in the form of large buckets are provided.

Several stainless steel, water bowls are provided in each cage. Leafy vegetation, like Kale, was observed to be hung from the ceiling. The vegetation is also misted with water to provide the sloths with alternative opportunities to drink water," the FWC investigator stated in the report.

According to the report, FWC found a couple of issues with the sizing of two sloth cages, as well as reporting errors, resulting in a verbal warning:

Two sloths were found to each be housed in a metal cage that measured 33" X 22 ½" X 4’7.5", which does not meet the 4' x 6' x 8' requirement, the report said.
Animals can be temporarily caged in small enclosures when held for sale or under veterinary care, though the animal cannot be housed there longer than 60 days, the report said. The enclosure cannot prevent the animal from standing up, lying down, or turning around without touching the sides of the cage.
When caged, facilities have to permanently mark the enclosure and keep traceable written records of the date the animal was placed in such housing.

"It was noted that neither the animal nor the cage was marked and traceable to written records that indicated when these sloths were placed within these smaller cages. In these two instances, the sloths were in cages that did not meet captive wildlife requirements and the marking/labeling of the animal or the cage had not been done in compliance with the exception to standard caging of FAC 68A-6.013. A verbal warning for this captive wildlife discrepancy was issued," the FWC report said.

Expert: Sloths cannot survive in cold temperatures

The ideal temperature for sloths is between 81 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, said Dr. Rebecca Cliffe, founder and director of The Sloth Conservation Foundation in Costa Rica. She has been publicly against the project.

"Sloths can't regulate their body temperature like a lot of mammals can," said Dr. Cliffe. "So they completely depend on the environmental temperature for maintaining their internal temperature."

"As soon as sloths get too cold their core temperature drops, what happens is they have special bacteria that live in their stomach that they use to digest the food they eat, and if they get too cold all those bacteria die and then they can't digest anything," she said.

"So even if you heat them back up again, they can't survive."

What is Sloth World Orlando?

Sloth World Orlando describes itself on its website as "the world's only ‘slotharium.’"

"Sloth World was created to provide sloths with a protected, research-informed habitat designed around their natural needs. Here, guests learn through quiet observation, guided by caretakers who support daily sloth care," reads its website.

It was initially expected to open on March 1. However, that date has passed.

Florida Representative Anna Eskamani has publicly called for answers from FWC. Eskamani said there are major gaps in Florida’s permitting process for possessing wild animals that need to be addressed and corrected.

13 two-toed sloths donated to Central Florida Zoo from Sloth World Orlando

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 13:58:45 -0400

Editor's note: The Central Florida Zoo originally said 14 sloths had been transferred from Sloth World. The zoo later clarified that the number was slightly lower – 13 sloths. This story has been updated to include statements from Sloth World owner Ben Agresta.

The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens said Friday that it has accepted a donation of 13 two-toed sloths that were previously associated with Sloth World Orlando.

Richard E. Glover, CEO of the Central Florida Zoo, confirmed to FOX 35 that the 13 sloths – Hoffmann’s two-toed sloths and Linnaeus’s two-toed sloths – were donated from Sloth World Orlando, a planned "slotharium" attraction under construction on International Drive that has faced scrutiny recently.

FOX 35 cameras on Friday afternoon captured activity at the warehouse on International Drive, which, according to an FWC report, was used as a "receiving" center for the sloths to be evaluated and acclimated, before eventually moving to Sloth World's main attraction. Our cameras captured several crates, cages, and boxes being loaded into vehicles at the warehouse location.

As FOX 35 reported earlier this week, questions and concerns have been raised after an FWC report said 31 sloths under Sloth World's care had died in December 2024 and February 2025. FOX 35 also reported this week that the warehouse facility was not permitted to house animals – it was permitted by a different business to store vehicles.

On Friday evening, Ben Agresta, the owner of Sloth World Orlando, issued a lengthy statement about the situation.

He told FOX 35's Marie Edinger that he has "no plans to open" Sloth World as all of the sloths were not at the Central Florida Zoo, he said, and would likely file for bankruptcy protection.

Zoo: Donated sloths will be quarantined for 30 days

The zoo said the sloths would be placed in quarantine for at least 30 days, where they will be evaluated by the zoo's staff.

"The sloths are currently in quarantine, where they are being assessed by the Zoo’s veterinary team. They will remain in quarantine for at least 30 days, with their nutrition and overall health closely monitored by professional animal care staff and medical teams," the zoo said in a news release.

"The sloths – both Hoffmann’s two-toed sloths and Linnaeus’s two-toed sloths – will become part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) and Species Survival Plans (SSPs) for their species, cooperative programs designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of genetically diverse animal populations in accredited zoos."

Zoo will work to find long-term homes for the sloths at AZA-accredited facilities

"When we were approached about taking in these sloths, the team all agreed it was something we should and wanted to do. Our Zoo team has decades of experience caring for sloths, and we can ensure they will receive the best care and nutrition to give them the best opportunity for a positive outcome," said Richard E. Glover in a prepared statement.

"This is also a meaningful opportunity for us to contribute to the long-term conservation of these unique species. By bringing these animals into an accredited setting and participating in the Species Survival Plan, we’re giving them the best possible chance to thrive and helping ensure a healthy, sustainable population of sloths for future generations."

Congress Maxwell Frost wants USDA to investigate Sloth World

Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost said in a post on X that he has asked the Secretary of Agriculture and the USDA to investigate Sloth World.

Sloth World Orlando to file for bankruptcy, will no longer open; 'we have no other options'

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 17:57:09 -0400

The owner of Sloth World Orlando confirmed to FOX 35 on Friday afternoon that he plans to file for bankruptcy protection, and that he will no longer move forward with plans to open his "slotharium."

"It's been rough on everybody. We expect to go under the bankruptcy immediately as with our sloth population in full control by AZA and no plans to open, we have no other options," Sloth World Orlando owner Ben Agresta said to FOX 35's Marie Edinger.

Earlier Friday, 13 sloths were transferred from a warehouse on International Drive to the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens. The zoo's CEO confirmed to FOX 35 that those 13 sloths, including one that was pregnant, were previously associated with Sloth World Orlando.

Photos: First look at sloths at the Central Florida Zoo

The zoo said the sloths would be placed in quarantine for at least 30 days, where they will be evaluated by the zoo's staff.

The public will not be able to see the sloths at the zoo.

The Central Florida Zoo shared a few photos of the sloths inside their new – temporary – home.

Zoo will work to find long-term homes for the sloths at AZA-accredited facilities

Owner of Sloth World Orlando: Sloths did not die from cold stun; they died from a virus

On Friday evening, Ben Agresta, the owner of Sloth World Orlando, issued a lengthy statement about the situation.

Sloth World: Warehouse lacked proper permits for animals; 'stop work' order issued by county

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 18:52:24 -0400

He said since the sloths were moved to the Central Florida Zoo, he has "no plans" to open Sloth Would and would likely file for bankruptcy protection.

Original story

The warehouse on International Drive where 31 sloths intended for Sloth World Orlando reportedly died was not permitted to have animals or wildlife of any kind, FOX 35 has learned.

On Thursday afternoon, an inspector with Orange County's Building Safety issued a "stop work" order at the warehouse after visiting the building, determining that it appeared animals were being stored without a use permit.

He was not able to go into the building because no one from Sloth World was at the facility. That also means it is unclear if there are sloths actively inside the building or not.

According to a report by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the warehouse is intended to be a "receiving" center for Sloth World Orlando. The animals are evaluated and acclimated at the warehouse facility, before eventually being taken to the main exhibit fewer than three miles away, the report said.

Orange County: Building permitted to house vehicles, not sloths

A spokesperson for Orange County told FOX 35 that the building was last inspected in 2021, when a use permit to store vehicles was issued to another business.

"The County was recently notified that the building's use has changed. Orange County Fire Rescue inspected the property on April 21 and found that the current business appeared not to have a USE permit or a certificate of occupancy for the building.

It was also discovered that the property had animal cages without the proper permits and lacked required fire extinguishers and exit signage."

That's what brought another inspector to the property on Thursday.

Inspection results released

On Friday morning, Orange County released the results of that inspection, which noted animal crates in the rear of the building, as well as low-visibility mesh coverings that appeared to have been affixed to the doors without a permit.

"On April 23, 2026, the Building Safety inspector attempted to verify whether the building's current use conformed to the Use Permit previously approved to obtain their certificate of occupancy. Despite four separate attempts, the inspector was unable to locate someone who could provide access to the inside of the building.

As explained in the attached FIR, the Building Inspector observed that the building's exterior entryways had been modified with a low-visibility mesh. The modification violates the Florida Building Code because it was performed without a building permit. As a result, a stop-work order was posted on the outside of the building. As for the penalty, if any work is commenced without a permit, the penalty will be double the permit fee or $103.00, whichever is greater, and will be in addition to the permit fee, which will be assessed.

Orange County Code Enforcement has also attempted, but has been unable, to gain access to the building at 7547 International Drive. A Code Compliance officer will continue to attempt to get access to the building."

What about Sloth World Orlando?

Despite being three minutes away from the warehouse, Sloth World Orlando's attraction building falls under the City of Orlando’s jurisdiction.

FOX 35 reached out to the City of Orlando for an update on that project:

"The project has submitted its permit applications, which are currently under review as part of the standard permitting process. A certificate of occupancy has not been issued," the spokesperson said.

Sloth World Orlando describes itself on its website as "the world's only ‘slotharium.’"

It was expected to open in March. That has not happened. A new opening date has not been annoucned. FOX 35 visited the facility this week, which remains under construction.

Sloth World website pulled offline

It appears that Sloth World Orlando has modified its website. On Wednesday morning, Sloth World’s website showed renderings, photos, and information about what the attraction would offer.

Late Wednesday afternoon, the fancy graphics were replaced with the following message: "Pardon our dust! We're working on something amazing — check back soon!"

Are there more sloths here?

That's unclear. There are no windows or doors at the warehouse facility, and the inspector was unable to go inside the building.

FOX 35 has reached out to the current owner of Sloth World for comment. FOX 35 also reached out to the former co-owner for comment, who also did not respond.

The former owner previously told FOX 35 that there were more sloths here, and that most of them were pregnant. However, that has not been confirmed by FWC, county officials, or city officials.

A spokesperson for Orange County told FOX 35 that if sloths were found inside the building, FWC would be contacted. FOX 35 has reached out to FWC for comment.

USDA: No active permit for Sloth World Orlando

A spokesperson for the USDA told FOX 35 that anyone who wants to publicly display animals needs to have an Animal Welfare License. Sloth World Orlando does not have one on file, according to the USDA.

"We take very seriously our mission to protect vulnerable animals. The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) requires people who use regulated animals for certain purposes to be licensed with APHIS and meet established standards of humane care and public safety. When we hear public concerns about facilities potentially engaged in regulated activities a license, we investigate for appropriate follow-up. We are aware of the facility mentioned and are responding.

The first step APHIS takes in cases of suspected activity without a valid license is to send the individual information about the AWA and licensing requirements. If there is continued evidence of potential regulated activity, APHIS follows up to ascertain the specifics of the activity and if the individual would be required to obtain a license. If they continued covered activity without a license, APHIS pursues enforcement actions."

Sen. Maxwell Frost reacts to Sloth World reports: ‘I am appalled’

Congressman Maxwell Frost responded to FOX 35's reporting on Sloth World Orlando in a post on X, including a link to our reporting.

"I am appalled to hear about the 31 sloths who died under the "care" of the not yet opened Sloth World in Orlando," he wrote.

These sloths — naturally solitary animals — were put in the worst conditions possible. They were taken from their natural habitats to a packed warehouse that wasn’t properly heated and allowed for the spread of deadly viruses, leading to a stress-induced death."

My office is looking into this tragedy, and we will coordinate with local officials to determine how to best move forward.

What is Sloth World?

Sloth World Orlando describes itself on its website as "the world's only ‘slotharium.’"