A troubling report has raised serious questions about animal welfare at Sloth World, the highly anticipated Orlando attraction that bills itself as the world’s only “slothnarium.” According to a captive wildlife incident report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC), at least 31 sloths died at a warehouse facility connected to the yet-to-open tourist destination between December 2024 and February 2025.

The facility, a large warehouse-type building in Orlando, was being used to house and acclimate two-toed and three-toed sloths imported from South America before they were scheduled to move to the main Sloth World attraction. The FWC conducted an unannounced routine inspection on August 8 and documented the deaths in its official report, which was later obtained by Inside Climate News.

During the inspection, officials found six living two-toed sloths at the warehouse. Two of the animals were being kept in cages that did not meet Florida’s legal captive wildlife requirements, and the proper marking and labeling of the animals or cages had not been completed in compliance with state regulations. A verbal warning was issued for these violations, but no formal infractions were cited for the deaths of the 31 sloths.

The report details how Peter Bandre, the captive wildlife licensee at the time and a previous co-owner of Sloth World, explained the circumstances surrounding the deaths. According to Bandre, the facility received two separate shipments of sloths during the winter months. The first shipment in December 2024 consisted of 21 sloths — 15 two-toed and six three-toed — imported from Guyana. The second shipment of 10 two-toed sloths arrived from Peru.

Bandre reportedly told FWC officials that the Guyana sloths suffered from what he described as a “cold stun” shortly after arrival. He claimed he had arrived at the warehouse several days before the shipment and discovered that the building had no power or running water and was not properly prepared to receive the animals during Florida’s cooler winter period. By the time the sloths arrived, it was too late to cancel the shipment.

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To provide heat, the facility purchased space heaters that had to be powered by running an extension cord from a neighboring building. According to the report, the heaters tripped a fuse one night, shutting off power and leaving the building without heat as temperatures dropped to 46 degrees Fahrenheit. With no staff present overnight to address the issue, the sloths allegedly died from the cold exposure.

The Peru shipment fared no better. Bandre stated that two sloths arrived already dead, while the remaining eight were in poor health — emaciated and suffering from various issues — and ultimately succumbed after reaching the facility.

Sloth World describes itself on its website as an educational attraction designed to give visitors an ethical, non-contact experience with sloths in a protected, research-informed indoor rainforest habitat. As of April 21, the attraction was advertising an opening in just 25 days, with hour-long guided tours priced at $49 per person. The facility promises to educate the public about sloth biology and conservation while providing what it calls a high-standard environment tailored to the animals’ natural needs.

Despite these claims, the high number of deaths before the attraction has even opened has drawn significant concern from animal welfare advocates and conservation groups. Two prominent sloth conservation organizations — The Sloth Conservation Foundation (SloCo) and The Sloth Institute (TSI) — issued a joint statement warning the public about the situation. They confirmed that Sloth World had acknowledged to SloCo that some of the animals were wild-caught rather than captive-bred. While capturing wild sloths is not illegal, the groups emphasized that removing them from their natural forest canopy and shipping them internationally often leads to severe health problems.

Sam Trull, co-founder and executive director of The Sloth Institute, explained in the release: “When removed from the forest canopy and shipped internationally to the US, sloths often suffer from serious health issues related to the change in suitable diet and exposure to an artificial environment. For a lot of captured sloths, this leads to their death.”

Inside Climate News reported that at least 38 additional animals have arrived at the facility since the period when the 31 sloths died. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is reportedly working with Sloth World to investigate and diagnose ongoing health issues affecting the animals.

Benjamin Agresta, listed as the co-owner of Sloth World, has strongly denied the details in the FWC report. In a statement provided to FOX35, he described the records of sloth deaths as “completely fiction.” Agresta claimed the facility has been dealing with a difficult situation involving a foreign virus and has been working closely with veterinarians, the Florida Department of Agriculture, and other experts to identify and address the problem.

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He dismissed rumors of “cold-stunning” or lack of power and water as entirely false. Agresta also stated that the FWC had conducted a recent inspection, found no wrongdoing, and renewed the facility’s license. He emphasized that the team has always prioritized animal health and has invested millions into care and habitats.

When reached by People magazine, neither Sloth World Orlando nor the FWC had provided additional comments at the time of publication.

The deaths have sparked broader questions about the ethics of importing wild-caught sloths for commercial tourist attractions. Sloths are highly specialized animals with slow metabolisms, specific dietary needs, and a strong dependence on the stable, humid environment of the tropical forest canopy. Sudden changes in temperature, diet, humidity, or stress from transport can be extremely detrimental to their health.

Two-toed and three-toed sloths, while both native to Central and South America, have different care requirements. Three-toed sloths, in particular, are known to be more sensitive and difficult to maintain in captivity. Transporting them long distances — especially during cooler months — without proper climate control and veterinary support can quickly become fatal.

Critics argue that attractions like Sloth World, which promote close educational experiences with wild animals, risk prioritizing profit and entertainment over genuine animal welfare. Even when marketed as “ethical” and “non-contact,” the very process of capturing, importing, and housing wild sloths in artificial environments raises serious welfare concerns.

Supporters of the project, however, point to the potential educational value. Sloth World claims it will teach visitors about sloth conservation and the threats facing these animals in the wild, such as habitat loss and the illegal pet trade. If managed correctly, such attractions could theoretically raise awareness and funds for conservation efforts. The current situation, though, has cast doubt on whether the facility is prepared to meet even basic welfare standards before opening its doors to the public.

The FWC’s decision not to issue formal citations for the deaths themselves has also drawn attention. While the agency did issue a verbal warning for improper caging, the lack of penalties related to the high mortality rate has left some observers questioning the strength of oversight for captive wildlife facilities in Florida.

Florida has become a hotspot for exotic animal attractions, from tiger experiences to primate sanctuaries. The state’s warm climate makes it appealing for tropical species, but it also means facilities must be equipped to handle the specific needs of animals that evolved in very different environments. Power failures, temperature fluctuations, and inadequate quarantine procedures can have devastating consequences, as the reported sloth deaths appear to illustrate.

For conservationists, the story is particularly disheartening because sloths are already facing pressure in their native habitats. Wild populations are declining in many areas due to deforestation, agriculture, and climate change. Removing healthy animals from the wild to supply the tourism industry can further strain already vulnerable populations.

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The Sloth Conservation Foundation and The Sloth Institute have urged potential visitors and supporters to carefully consider the sourcing and welfare practices of any facility claiming to offer sloth encounters. They emphasize that true conservation focuses on protecting sloths in their natural habitats rather than removing them for entertainment.

As Sloth World prepares for its planned opening, the controversy surrounding the reported deaths is likely to follow the attraction. Questions remain about the accuracy of the FWC report versus the statements from facility representatives, the exact cause of the high mortality, and whether the operation can provide the “protected, research-informed habitat” it promises.

Animal welfare advocates will be watching closely to see how the situation develops. Many hope that the attention generated by this incident will lead to stronger regulations and better oversight for captive wildlife facilities across the country, ensuring that exotic animals are not subjected to unnecessary suffering in the name of tourism and profit.

In the meantime, the reported loss of 31 sloths before the attraction has even opened serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges — and ethical responsibilities — involved in bringing wild animals into captive environments for public display. Whether Sloth World can overcome these early setbacks and deliver on its promise of ethical, educational experiences remains to be seen.

The story highlights a larger conversation about the balance between conservation education, commercial tourism, and genuine animal welfare. For sloths — slow-moving, delicate creatures that spend most of their lives high in the rainforest canopy — adapting to warehouse conditions, international shipping, and artificial habitats is far from simple. The coming weeks and months will reveal whether Sloth World can turn its vision into a responsible reality or whether the high cost paid by these 31 animals will cast a permanent shadow over the attraction.