Investigation into Sloth Deaths at Orlando Import Facility

Apr 26, 2026, 18:41

Introduction

State wildlife authorities have reported the deaths of nearly 30 sloths at an animal import warehouse in Orlando, Florida. The deaths occurred between 2024 and 2025 and were caused by unstable temperatures and health problems.

Main Body

A report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission detailed these events. In December 2024, 21 sloths from Guyana died when temperatures at the Sanctuary World Imports facility dropped to between 40 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This is much lower than the 68 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit required for the species to survive, according to USDA guidelines. Regarding the December incident, the facility owner, Peter Bandre, claimed that the deaths were caused by a 'cold stun.' He asserted that the building had no electricity or water when the animals arrived and that the shipment could not be stopped. Furthermore, he noted that using space heaters caused a power failure, leaving the animals without heat for at least one night. Additional losses occurred in February 2025 with a shipment from Peru. Out of ten animals, two were already dead upon arrival, and the others died due to poor health and extreme weight loss. The report emphasized that the facility was struggling to find its third veterinarian during this time. By March 2026, the company was renamed Sloth World Inc., and Peter Bandre was no longer involved. Recent inspections confirmed that new climate control systems are now maintaining a steady temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit.

Conclusion

After a period of high animal mortality caused by poor infrastructure and health failures, the facility has changed its leadership and installed new heating systems to meet the animals' specific needs.

Vocabulary Learning

asserted (v.)
declared or claimed with confidence聲稱
Example:The owner asserted that the deaths were caused by a cold stun.
guidelines (n.)
official rules or recommendations指導方針
Example:The USDA guidelines require temperatures between 68 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
infrastructure (n.)
basic physical and organizational structures needed for operation基礎設施
Example:The sloth facility lacked proper infrastructure, leading to power failures.
mortality (n.)
the state of being subject to death; death rate死亡率
Example:The facility experienced a high mortality rate due to poor infrastructure.
unstable (adj.)
not stable / lacking stability不穩定
Example:The unstable temperatures at the facility led to the deaths of the sloths.

Sentence Learning

The deaths occurred between 2024 and 2025 and were caused by unstable temperatures and health problems.
Passive Voice: This sentence uses the passive construction 'were caused' to emphasize the cause rather than the agent.被動語態: 此句使用被動語態 'were caused' 以強調死亡的原因，而非執行者。
The deaths that occurred between 2024 and 2025 were caused by unstable temperatures and health problems.
Relative Clause: The relative clause 'that occurred' adds essential information about the deaths, specifying when they happened.關係子句: 此句中的關係子句 'that occurred' 為死亡事件提供必要的時間資訊。
Furthermore, he noted that using space heaters caused a power failure, leaving the animals without heat for at least one night.
Linking Word: The adverb 'Furthermore' links this sentence to previous information, indicating additional details.連接詞: 'Furthermore' 用於連接前後句，表示額外的資訊。
In December 2024, 21 sloths from Guyana died when temperatures at the Sanctuary World Imports facility dropped to between 40 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Subordinating Conjunction: The word 'when' introduces a time clause that explains when the deaths occurred.從屬連接詞: 'when' 引導時間從句，說明死亡發生的時間。
This is much lower than the 68 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit required for the species to survive, according to USDA guidelines.
Comparative Clause: The comparative structure 'much lower than' compares the actual temperature to the required range, highlighting the discrepancy.比較結構: 'much lower than' 用於比較兩個溫度範圍，表達低於標準。