Video Numerous creatures discovered deceased at a Florida establishment amidst a troubling inquiry
Florida’s wildlife authorities report that 31 animals succumbed following shipments from Guyana and Peru, attributing their deaths to exposure to cold and inadequate conditions upon arrival, while affirming no intentional transgressions by the establishment’s operators.
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An unsettling finding within a warehouse in Orlando, Florida, has officials and others seeking resolutions.
As Sloth World Orlando gears up to unveil a 7,500-square-foot, open-habitat rainforest for sloths, reports have emerged indicating that a minimum of 31 sloths have been found deceased under the venue’s supervision, according to accounts from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
Over two dozen sloths perished in a warehouse situated approximately two minutes from the Sloth World Orlando site between December 2024 and February 2025, the FWC stated, as reported by Fox35.
Under Florida statutes, Sloth World was not mandated to report these fatalities. Nevertheless, during a routine and unannounced assessment in August 2025, FWC investigators made inquiries regarding prior sloth deaths, as per Fox35.
The FWC report indicated that 21 sloths died shortly after their arrival in December 2024. An additional 10 sloths, transported from Peru in February 2025, also passed away.
As Sloth World Orlando makes ready to launch, disquieting questions are surfacing. (iStock)
The FWC posits that the sloths arriving in December succumbed to “cold stun.”
A former co-owner informed the FWC that the warehouse was not prepared for the incoming sloths — but that it was too late to cancel the consignment, Fox35 reported.
The former co-owner asserted that the building lacked running water or electricity for a period.
Portable heaters were procured and powered using an extension cord from an adjacent building, the former co-owner alleged.
At one point, the circuit breaker tripped, leaving the sloths without heat for at least one night, according to the report.
The report also noted that the lowest recorded temperature was 46 degrees Fahrenheit on December 22.
Two sloths were deceased upon arrival in the February 2025 shipment from Peru. The remaining eight sloths “appeared emaciated and in very poor health” — and subsequently died, according to the report.
Two sloths (not pictured) were deceased upon arrival in the February 2025 shipment, according to a startling report by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. (iStock)
Fox35 reported that it contacted the current owner, who firmly refuted the accusations.
“Recently, our facility has been managing a challenging situation involving a foreign virus,” he informed Fox35.
“We have collaborated diligently with our veterinarian, the Florida Department of Agriculture, and other external specialists to successfully identify the virus and address it.”
“We are cognizant of rumors such as those claiming our sloths were ‘cold-stunned’ or left without water and electricity. These assertions are entirely unfounded,” the owner continued.
“We remain profoundly dedicated to the ongoing care, security, and welfare of our sloth population.”
“The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) conducted a comprehensive inspection of our facility just last week, found absolutely no misconduct, and fully reissued our license,” he added.
FWC did not issue formal citations, noting the absence of “intentional malfeasance,” but provided a verbal caution concerning enclosure dimensions.
Sloth World Orlando, a planned “slotharium” on International Drive, was initially scheduled to commence operations in March 2026, presenting itself as a pioneering, conservation-focused attraction featuring numerous sloths.
Sloth World Orlando was originally slated to open in March 2026. It was presenting itself as a pioneering, conservation-focused attraction. (iStock)
The undertaking has encountered setbacks and is now anticipated to open later in 2026, with the timeline adjusted as the facility navigates operational hurdles.
Investigators cited contributing factors such as cold exposure, transportation-related stress, and poor health upon arrival, while the company contests assertions of insufficient conditions.
Notwithstanding the controversy, the attraction is proceeding with its plans, though it remains under intense public scrutiny.
“We have consistently prioritized the health and well-being of our animals, investing substantial resources into their care and habitats,” stated the current owner, as reported by Fox35.
“We remain profoundly dedicated to the ongoing care, security, and welfare of our sloth population.”
Kelly McGreal of Fox News Digital provided reporting contributions.