31 Sloths Die Before Florida Sloth World Opens
31 Sloths Die Before Florida Sloth World Opens
Introduction
A new animal place called Sloth World in Orlando, Florida, wanted to open. But before it opened, 31 sloths died. This happened between December 2024 and February 2025. Now, some government groups are looking into the problem.
Main Body
In December 2024, 21 sloths came from Guyana. They were in a warehouse. The warehouse had no water and no electricity. People bought heaters to keep the sloths warm. But the heaters stopped working. The sloths got very cold. The temperature outside was 46°F (7°C). The sloths died from the cold. In February 2025, ten sloths came from Peru. Two were dead when they arrived. The other eight looked very thin and sick. They all died later because they were not healthy. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) wrote a report about these deaths. The owner of Sloth World, Ben Agresta, first said the sloths died from a virus. Later, he said the place will not open. He will ask for bankruptcy. The FWC closed its investigation. But other groups are still looking into the problem. The Orange County Building Safety office stopped work at the warehouse. Some people are angry about the sloth deaths. State Representative Anna Eskamani said there is a problem with wildlife permits. The Sloth Conservation Foundation and the Sloth Institute were worried about Sloth World before. The 13 sloths that did not die went to the Central Florida Zoo. They need help from people for their whole lives.
Conclusion
The deaths of the sloths show that it is hard to keep wild animals in places made by people. The owner of Sloth World is closing the business. The surviving sloths are now with a zoo that can take care of them.
Vocabulary Learning
Sentence Learning
Death of 31 Sloths Before Opening of Florida 'Sloth World' Triggers Regulatory Scrutiny
Introduction
A planned animal attraction in Orlando, Florida, named Sloth World, experienced the deaths of 31 sloths between December 2024 and February 2025 before its scheduled opening. The deaths, documented in a report by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), have led to investigations by multiple regulatory bodies and criticism from lawmakers and conservation groups.
Main Body
According to the FWC report, obtained by the BBC and Inside Climate News, there were two separate incidents of sloth deaths. In December 2024, 21 sloths imported from Guyana died from cold exposure at a warehouse in Florida. The facility had no water or electricity; space heaters bought to keep the animals warm caused a fuse to blow and stopped working, leaving the sloths without heat for at least one night. Weather data shows that temperatures in the area dropped to 46°F (7°C) the following week. In February 2025, a shipment of ten sloths from Peru arrived with two already dead and the remaining eight appearing very thin; all later died from poor health. The FWC also noted that on two occasions, sloths under the care of Peter Bandre, listed as the attraction’s vice-president, were kept in cages that did not meet requirements for captive wildlife, for which a verbal warning was given. Sloth World’s owner, Ben Agresta, initially denied the allegations, claiming that the sloths had died from a virus that could not be detected even after autopsy. However, in a later interview on April 24, 2025, Agresta announced that the attraction had abandoned its plans to open and would file for bankruptcy. Bandre had previously told investigators that the warehouse was not properly prepared to receive the animals and that it was too late to cancel the shipment, attributing the deaths to a “cold stun.” The FWC closed its investigation without issuing a written warning or citation, but an agency spokesperson confirmed that other regulatory bodies are conducting their own inquiries. The Orange County Building Safety office issued a stop work order at the warehouse on April 24, citing alleged violations of state building codes and county rules. The incident has drawn criticism from Florida State Representative Anna Eskamani, who described the case as exposing a “major gap” in wildlife permits, noting that the FWC is not required to be notified of animal deaths. The Sloth Conservation Foundation and the Sloth Institute had previously expressed concerns about Sloth World’s planned opening. Sam Trull, executive director of the Sloth Institute, stated that sloths removed from their forest canopy and shipped internationally often suffer serious health problems from dietary changes and artificial environments, which frequently lead to death. The remaining 13 sloths from the attraction were donated to the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, which placed them under quarantine and is working with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for long-term placement. The zoo noted that many of these animals will require lifelong human assistance. The broader context involves a growing, not strictly regulated commercial tourism sector centered on sloths, which are native to Central and South America. According to the International Fund for Animal Welfare, one of the six sloth species is in danger of extinction and another is at risk. The sloths that died were imported from Guyana and Peru, countries that experts say still permit the capture of wild sloths for sale. Sloths cannot regulate their body temperature and typically feed on tropical leaves, making them especially vulnerable to cold and dietary changes.
Conclusion
The deaths of so many sloths at Sloth World highlight weaknesses in the oversight of wildlife exhibits and the difficulties of keeping exotic animals in artificial environments. Since the owner has filed for bankruptcy and several investigations are still ongoing, the future of the facility remains uncertain. The surviving sloths have been transferred to a zoo with accredited care.
Vocabulary Learning
Sentence Learning
Mortality of Thirty-One Sloths Prior to Opening of Florida 'Slotharium' Prompts Regulatory Scrutiny
Introduction
A planned animal attraction in Orlando, Florida, named Sloth World, experienced the deaths of 31 sloths between December 2024 and February 2025 before its scheduled opening. The fatalities, documented in a report by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), have led to investigations by multiple regulatory bodies and criticism from lawmakers and conservation groups.
Main Body
The FWC report, obtained by the BBC and Inside Climate News, details two distinct episodes of mortality. In December 2024, 21 sloths imported from Guyana died due to cold exposure at a warehouse in Florida. The facility lacked water and electricity; space heaters purchased to maintain warmth tripped a fuse and ceased operation, leaving the animals without heat for at least one night. Historical weather data indicates that temperatures in the area dropped to 46°F (7°C) the following week. In February 2025, a shipment of ten sloths from Peru resulted in two animals arriving deceased and the remaining eight appearing emaciated; all subsequently died from poor health conditions. The FWC also noted that on two occasions, sloths under the care of Peter Bandre, listed as the attraction’s vice-president, were housed in cages that did not meet captive wildlife requirements, for which a verbal warning was issued. Sloth World’s owner, Ben Agresta, initially denied the allegations, stating that the sloths had succumbed to a virus that was undetectable even after necropsy. However, in a later interview with Fox 35 Orlando on April 24, 2025, Agresta announced that the attraction had abandoned its plans to open and would file for bankruptcy. Bandre had previously told investigators that the warehouse was not properly prepared to receive the animals and that it was too late to cancel the shipment, attributing the deaths to a “cold stun.” The FWC closed its investigation without issuing a written warning or citation, but an agency spokesperson confirmed that other regulatory bodies are conducting their own inquiries. The Orange County Building Safety office issued a stop work order at the warehouse on April 24, citing alleged violations of state building codes and county rules. The incident has drawn criticism from Florida State Representative Anna Eskamani, who described the case as exposing a “major gap” in wildlife permits, noting that the FWC is not required to be notified of animal deaths. The Sloth Conservation Foundation and the Sloth Institute had previously expressed concerns about Sloth World’s planned opening. Sam Trull, executive director of the Sloth Institute, stated that sloths removed from their forest canopy and shipped internationally often suffer serious health issues from dietary changes and artificial environments, which frequently lead to death. The remaining 13 sloths from the attraction were donated to the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, which placed them under quarantine and is working with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for long-term placement. The zoo noted that many of these animals will require lifelong human assistance. The broader context involves a growing, loosely regulated commercial tourism sector centered on sloths, which are native to Central and South America. According to the International Fund for Animal Welfare, one of the six sloth species is critically endangered and another is vulnerable. The sloths that died were imported from Guyana and Peru, countries that experts say still permit the capture of wild sloths for sale. Sloths cannot regulate their body temperature and typically feed on tropical leaves, making them particularly vulnerable to cold and dietary changes.
Conclusion
The mass mortality of sloths at Sloth World highlights deficiencies in the oversight of wildlife exhibits and the inherent challenges of maintaining exotic animals in artificial environments. With the attraction’s owner filing for bankruptcy and multiple investigations ongoing, the facility’s future remains uncertain, while the surviving sloths have been transferred to accredited care.