Sloth World sloths

The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said an executive order is being drafted to temporarily ban the import of sloths to Florida, following the deaths of more than 50 sloths intended for Sloth World Orlando. FWC said it was also going to review the rules and regulations for Class III animal licenses, which sloths fall under, to see if changes need to be made. The Class III license has been questioned after the mass sloth deaths at Sloth World because, legally, the owners were not required to report the sloth deaths – only if sloths had bitten someone or escaped. FWC Executive Director Roger A. Young made the announced during Wednesday's FWC meeting.

Ten sloths rescued from a troubled Central Florida attraction are still fighting for their lives, with one in critical condition as lawmakers push for changes to prevent similar cases.

A Central Florida community is raising money to help care for sloths rescued from Sloth World after several of the animals became seriously ill.

The Central Florida Zoo is caring for sloths that were rescued from a warehouse tied to Sloth World. A veterinarian with the zoo joins Good Day Orlando to talk about caring for the animals.

Orange County commissioners are questioning warehouse oversight procedures after 55 sloths died at a Central Florida attraction while being housed in unpermitted warehouses, raising concerns similar to those sparked by a deadly 2022 fireworks explosion in the county.

After 55 total sloths in connection to the Orlando attraction, Sloth World, died, sloth conservationists aim to make changes in the transport of the animals, saying, "Ultimately, these animals should never have been removed from the rain forest." Now, they plan to meet with the county commissioners, the state attorney's office and the attorney general's office. They're also trying to meet with officials from the FWC, FOX 35's Manny Martinez reported. 

Days after Florida's Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a criminal investigation into Sloth World, after over 50 sloths died, the Orange County Sheriff's office announced it is assisting with the investigation. This comes on the heels of Florida Representative Maxwell Frost and Anna Eskamani demanding accountability. 

Three of 13 sloths transported to the Central Florida Zoo from a warehouse for the Sloth World experience have died. A necropsy report for Bandit, the first of three sloths to die, showed he had an abnormal buildup of fluid in his body. 

Over 50 sloths have been reported dead during a failed Sloth World project. With an investigation underway, officials and experts are calling for more accountability. 

Why were the the deaths of dozens of Sloth World sloths not publicly reported after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission visited the Sloth World warehouse in March? The FWC told FOX 35, the "circumstances discovered did not rise to the level of criminal intent." Florida Rep. Anna Eskamani called the situation, "willful neglect."  Now, the Orange County Sheriff's office confirmed it is investigating the situation. 

Sloth experts, elected officials and the Central Florida Zoo hold a news conference to break down the health concerns and status of the sloths at Sloth World, plus the investigations into the sloth deaths that are happening at the local and state levels with members of both major political parties.

Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost spoke at a news conference Wednesday morning about the 55 sloths who died while being transported from Sloth World. 

Sloths experts from Costa Rica say it's alarming that many sloths died within days of each other. In less than a week, three of  'Sloth World' sloths sent to the Central Florida Zoo be cared for, died. Each reportedly had gastrointestinal issues. Bandit died on April 29, Habanero on May 2 and Dumpling on May 5. 

Dumpling was one of 13 sloths taken into the care of the Central Florida Zoo after found in serious condition. His digestive system was worsening after 11 days after being cared for. "He started going down hill a couple of days ago and progressively got less responsive," the zoo's CEO, Richard Glover, told FOX 35. 

Of the 13 'Sloth World' sloths transferred to the Central Florida Zoo, three are now dead. Bandit, Habanero and Dumpling died within a week of each other from their condition. Now, the zoo shares the condition of the remaining 10 sloths.