Credit: Central Florida Zoo

Florida Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, is calling for a criminal investigation into the operators of Sloth World following the deaths of more than two dozen sloths that had been in their care.

Eskamani, a term-limited state representative running for Orlando mayor, sent a letter to State Attorney General James Uthmeier on Wednesday, urging his office to investigate all individuals and entities involved with the I-Drive attraction that has doomed itself ahead of its now-canceled grand opening. 

“The loss of dozens of animals under preventable conditions demands accountability,” said Eskamani, who’s been stuck in Tallahassee this week to handle another dumpster fire, Florida’s GOP-motivated redistricting effort.

Eskamani’s letter raises concerns of potential violations of Florida law, including animal cruelty and “unlawful acts involving captive wildlife.” She also questioned the state’s regulatory oversight — describing the situation as a failure of government.

Inspectors from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission had first discovered the deaths of 31 sloths in August 2025, according to a Captive Wildlife Report. Yet, the agency had only issued a “verbal warning” to Sanctuary World Imports, the operator of the warehouse, in response.

An initial 21 sloths, originally imported from Guyana, had died at the Orlando warehouse facility between December 2024 and February 2025, according to the report. The deaths were attributed to a “cold stun” due to lack of consistent heating in the warehouse during one of Florida’s coldest winters in 15 years. 

Space heaters had been acquired for the warehouse, to help keep the animals warm, but inspectors found the devices reportedly failed after tripping electrical circuits. “At least one night in December 2024, the agency said, the sloths were left alone in the cold warehouse without heat,” Inside Climate News reported.

Sloth World imported another 10 wild sloths from Peru in February 2025 for its attraction, but two were reportedly dead on arrival and the rest arrived at the warehouse facility “emaciated.”

None survived.

Another FWC report issued in March 2026 found that the warehousing operation continued across multiple facilities after the initial findings of sloth deaths. Inspectors identified “ongoing deficiencies in recordkeeping, continued reliance on temporary or substandard enclosures, and incomplete documentation related to the sourcing and mortality of animals,” according to Eskamani’s letter.

“These reports raise not only questions of individual responsibility, but also broader concerns about regulatory oversight and enforcement,” Eskamani wrote.

Thirteen rescued sloths were donated to the Central Florida Zoo in Sanford last week and subsequently placed under a 30-day quarantine for close assessment and monitoring. Although all animals survived the first two nights, one of the sloths — Bandit — passed away Wednesday after arriving at the zoo in poor condition.

Bandit, a sloth rescued by the Central Florida Zoo, passed away after arriving at the zoo in “critical condition.” Credit: Central Florida Zoo/Facebook

According to a news release, Bandit had been in critical condition since his arrival at Central Florida Zoo, with signs of severe lethargy, dehydration, nutritional and electrolyte imbalances, and gastrointestinal complications.

“Despite the tireless efforts of our veterinary team, including Dr. Haley Straub, Bandit’s condition was too severe to overcome,” Richard E. Glover Jr., CEO of Central Florida Zoo, said in a statement. “We are heartbroken by this loss. Our team did everything possible to give him the best chance at survival and ensure he was comfortable in his final days.” 

Eskamani is calling on Uthmeier’s office to investigate Benjamin Agresta and Sloth World in coordination with the FWC, the state Department of Law Enforcement, and any relevant federal agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. She also requested the office evaluate whether criminal charges are warranted and provide transparency to the public regarding investigative activities and enforcement actions.

Orlando Weekly reached out to the AG’s office to ask if they plan to investigate, as requested. We will add any response from Uthmeier’s office that comes in as an update.

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General news reporter for Orlando Weekly, with a focus on state and local government and workers' rights. You can find her bylines in Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, In These Times, and Facing South.