After weeks of relatively positive updates from the Central Florida Zoo’s Sloth World rescue team, yet another sloth has lost its battle.
Willow is the fifth sloth to die after being rescued from the never-opened Sloth World debacle on April 24.
The zoo’s rescue team announced Tuesday morning that Willow’s health declined over the past several days, despite ongoing treatment and intensive veterinary care.
The veterinarian team made the decision to humanely euthanize her to prevent further suffering.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Willow,” said CEO Richard Glover in a statement. “Our animal care teams devoted countless hours to providing compassionate care. While this outcome is heartbreaking, we take comfort in knowing Willow received the highest level of care and support from a team that was fully committed to her well-being.”
A total of 13 rescued sloths were donated to the Central Florida Zoo on April 24 from the not-yet-opened I-Drive attraction Sloth World. They were placed under an initial 30-day quarantine for close assessment and monitoring, and all 13 survived the first two nights under the zoo medical team’s care. But five of the sloths — Bandit, Habanero, Dumpling, Mr. Ginger and now Willow — have since died, despite the zoo’s efforts and continual care.
Surviving sloths Chewy, Dolce, Phantom, Blackberry, Hazel, Leeloo, Mojo Jojo and Pearl will continue to receive medical treatment and care as they remain in an extended quarantine.
Sloth World’s operators, who have said the attraction will no longer open, are currently under investigation by the state attorney’s office for the deaths of 55 sloths they imported in 2024 and 2025 from Peru and Guyana. The FWC in mid-May paused sloth imports to Florida altogether, in response to the Sloth World deaths.
After talks of funding cuts to the zoo in May, Florida lawmakers reversed course and restored zoo funding within the state budget proposal. The zoo is now slated to receive $750,000 in the 2026-2027 state budget.
Supporters can donate to the zoo’s conservation and sloth rescue efforts online now.
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