PHOTO VIA CENTRAL FLORIDA ZOO
Sloth World Orlando, the International Drive attraction that resulted in the deaths of over 31 sloths before ever opening, is shutting down permanently. According to the team at FOX 35, the remaining surviving sloths have been surrendered and transferred to the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens (Website) in Sanford, where they are currently in a 30-day quarantine in an off-display habitat. You can read the zoo’s full statement HERE.
NBC News also confirmed with a spokesperson for the Central Florida Zoo that the 13 sloths were from Sloth World, saying, “These sloths are now receiving the best care possible from our staff, including expert animal husbandry from our Keeper staff, detailed medical treatment from our Veterinary team, and custom diets from our Animal Nutrition team,” the zoo said. The zoo is working with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan to find long-term placement at accredited facilities, while some sloths are expected to remain there permanently.
The closure comes after a week of headlines from outlets across the country sharing a scathing Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission captive wildlife report that oddly only resulted in a hand slap from the state. Orange County did their own investigation and issued a stop-work order at the Sloth World warehouse at 7547 International Drive [GMap] after inspectors found the building lacked required permits to house animals and proper occupancy approvals. The facility’s FWC permit had also expired, and State Rep. Anna Eskamani argued it should remain expired.
Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost said in a statement: “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. They were taken from their natural habitats to a packed warehouse that wasn’t even properly heated.”
The Sloth Conservation Foundation (Website), and The Sloth Institute (Website), which had been sounding the alarm since January, welcomed the closure but were pointed about what it took to get here. “There have still been no legal consequences for the facility’s owner, despite the suffering caused by his actions. It should not take 31 confirmed deaths and a campaign run by two foreign non-profit organizations for action to be taken. Where were the laws to protect these animals? Why did Sloth World not have to declare the deaths of the sloths in their care?”
The organizations also noted that approximately 24 sloths remain unaccounted for in publicly available records.
Orlando Shine previously reported on the FWC captive wildlife report in detail, as well as an account from a former Sloth World marketing director who described the operation as chaotic and financially driven, run by an owner with no background in conservation who was racing to import as many sloths as possible before a federal import restriction took effect in March 2026.
Ben Agresta, the owner of Sloth World, spoke with FOX 35 on Friday and shared that he plans to file for bankruptcy protection and that he will no longer move forward with plans to open Sloth World.
