After the deaths of dozens of sloths were uncovered at formerly planned Orlando attraction Sloth World, a few remaining sloths have since been accepted at Central Florida Zoo and have successfully survived their first two nights.
The zoo shared an update on social media Sunday that all 13 of the rescued sloths made it through their second night.
The animals will continue to receive veterinary care and treatment, the team says, but keepers are feeling cautiously optimistic about the progress made so far, though one sloth remains in “guarded condition.”
Still, the zoo says it will approach the long road ahead by taking it one step at a time.
The sloths were imported to the zoo last week and were examined by the veterinary team. Many of the sloths were initially dehydrated and underweight, but the zoo says now they are eating and drinking properly. They will remain under close watch and will receive treatment as needed.
A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission report made headlines last week for uncovering the deaths of 31 sloths under Sloth World’s care, all before the attraction actually opened.
The animals, imported in shipments starting in late 2024, were brought to a warehouse on International Drive that had no running water, no electricity and faulty space heaters that were plugged in with extension cords running from another building, the FWC report says.
Another shipment of 10 sloths from Peru contained two sloths that were dead on arrival, and the rest were “emaciated.” The FWC’s report, written in August, details all 31 deaths.
As even more sloths were imported, Sloth World learned that viruses, including a “novel two-toed sloth gammaherpesvirus,” were making way through the warehouse, according to necropsy reports and internal company emails reviewed by Inside Climate News.
Another necropsy report noted the “rapid onset of multiple deaths at this facility.”
Owner of Sloth World Benjamin Agresta previously told Inside Climate News his organization wanted to research and teach people about sloths through its “slotharium.” Meanwhile, two sloth conservation and rescue groups have blasted Sloth World’s sourcing methods, noting the animals’ sensitivity to stress and aversion to humans.
Agresta told Orlando’s Fox 35 on Friday that he plans to file for bankruptcy protection and that Sloth World will no longer open.
That comes after months of the attraction pushing back an opening date and selling $49 tickets on its website.
