After the Central Florida Zoo rescued 13 remaining sloths from the failed Orlando attraction Sloth World, a new fundraiser for the animals’ care is now underway.
Sanford Main Street organized a fundraiser for the zoo to continue providing the highest quality care for the two- and three-toed wild creatures. The Sanford Information Center, located on Main Street, is selling T-shirts for $35, with all proceeds going toward sloth conservation and care efforts at the Central Florida Zoo.
The T-shirts feature two sloths on the front and the zoo logo on the back. They’re also available for purchase online.
Central Florida Zoo earlier this month took in 13 rescued sloths from Sloth World, which was found to have been housing dozens of imported sloths in an inoperative warehouse in Orlando. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission inspected Sloth World’s facilities last year and were aware of at least 31 sloth deaths before they were publicly reported by Inside Climate News last month.
The remaining sloths were then donated to the zoo, where they were put under a 30-day quarantine and monitoring period. Four of the donated sloths — Bandit, Habanero, Dumpling and Mr. Ginger — so far have died, despite the zoo’s efforts and continual care.
Sloth World’s operators, who have since 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 this week paused sloth imports to Florida in response to the Sloth World deaths.
Meanwhile, Florida lawmakers are to consider a state funding cut to the zoo amid budget talks.
While the road to recovery won’t be easy, with the help of the extensive treatment and community efforts, the Central Florida Zoo is working to bring the remaining sloths to full health.
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