Overview
- The Central Florida Zoo, which took in 13 sloths on Friday, has them in at least a 30‑day quarantine with round‑the‑clock care and says one animal named Bandit remains in critical condition.
- A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission report found 31 sloths died between December 2024 and February 2025 after they were kept in a warehouse without power or water where space heaters failed, causing deadly cold exposure.
- Sloth World’s owner says the attraction will not open and plans to seek bankruptcy protection, and the zoo is working with accredited facilities to place survivors once they are stable.
- State officials closed their probe with only a verbal warning, and Rep. Maxwell Frost and conservation groups are now pushing for federal permit reviews and better tracking of imported wildlife.
- FWC records show shipments came from Guyana and Peru, while two nonprofits allege at least 69 sloths were imported with dozens unaccounted for, and FOX 35 reports additional deaths that could push the toll above 50.