"31 Sloths Die Before Opening"... Sloth Exhibition Facility Ultimately Shuts Down

Stored in Warehouse Without Heating or Electricity
Attempted to Exhibit Animals Without Required Permits

In Florida, USA, it has been revealed that more than 30 sloths died en masse at a sloth exhibition facility ahead of its opening due to poor management. Authorities also discovered unauthorized animal storage and ordered the suspension of the facility's operations.

An image of a sloth to aid in understanding the article. Not directly related to the article. Pixabay

According to the New York Post on April 24 (local time), officials in Orange County, Florida, recently issued a shutdown order to "Sloth World Orlando." An investigation found that 31 sloths had died at the facility prior to its scheduled opening.

The facility had planned to open in March 2025, bringing in two-toed and three-toed sloths from Guyana in December 2024 and from Peru in February 2025. However, the investigation showed that 21 of the first group of animals died of "hypothermic shock" shortly after arriving in Florida.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the sloths were temporarily housed in a nearby warehouse to acclimate before the facility's opening. However, it was found that the warehouse lacked proper electricity and running water at the time.

The facility operators used electricity from an external building to power heaters for warmth, but when the power supply was cut, heating was interrupted for at least one night. Sloths are known to be animals that inhabit tropical environments and are unable to survive prolonged exposure to cold temperatures.

Subsequently, two of the sloths brought from Peru were already dead upon arrival, and the remaining animals also died due to malnutrition and deteriorating health.

The facility operator refuted allegations of poor management, claiming that a virus from overseas was responsible. However, authorities have concluded that there were significant problems with the overall animal care and management at the facility.

The investigation also revealed that the facility failed to obtain the mandatory permits required for animal exhibition and did not secure approval to use the warehouse for animal storage.

The facility is currently closed, and its website has also been taken down. No information has been released regarding when or if it will reopen.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.