ORLANDO — Florida wildlife regulators discovered during an unannounced August 2025 inspection that 31 sloths bound for the unopened Sloth World attraction in Orlando died in a warehouse between December 2024 and February 2025. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission closed its investigation without issuing a written warning or citation.

Sloth World had ordered 21 sloths from Guyana, including 15 two-toed sloths and six three-toed sloths, that arrived in December 2024. All 21 died in what the attraction described as a "cold stun." Another 10 sloths arrived from Peru in February 2025; two were found dead on arrival, and the remaining eight later died at the warehouse from health complications.

Before the sloths arrived, the warehouse had no water or electricity. Sloth World told the commission that the warehouse was not ready to receive the animals but that it was too late to cancel the shipment. Multiple space heaters were purchased but had to be powered from a different building using extension cords. The heaters tripped a fuse, leaving no heat in the warehouse the night the sloths died, when the minimum recorded temperature was approximately 46 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sloth World owner Ben Agresta addressed the deaths. "The truth is, we lost sloths that had a virus of which showed barely any symptoms and was undetectable even after necropsy," Agresta said.

During the August 2025 inspection, the commission noted six two-toed sloths living in the warehouse. Cages for two of the living sloths did not meet regulations, and the owners received a verbal warning with no fines or citations issued. A building inspector for Orange County issued a stop-work order at the warehouse after finding no one there.

U.S. Representative Maxwell Frost announced that his office was looking into the deaths. "I am appalled to hear about the 31 sloths who died under the 'care' of the not yet opened Sloth World in Orlando. These sloths — naturally solitary animals — were put in the worst conditions possible. My office is looking into this tragedy, and we will coordinate with local officials to determine how to best move forward," Frost said.

Nicole Barrantes, wildlife campaign manager of World Animal Protection US, condemned the conditions. "The torturous conditions these sloths were subjected to are a tragic example of the cruel and unethical wildlife trade," she said. "These solitary, reclusive animals were brutally taken from their natural habitat, left to starve and freeze, and eventually die of infection. The ruthless appetite to exploit wild animals just to make money must be addressed."

The Sloth World website advertises the planned attraction as Orlando's only "slotharium," with a rainforest-inspired habitat "designed exclusively with sloth well-being in mind." Tickets are to be priced at $49. Sloth World did not immediately respond to requests for comment.