Central Florida Zoo Welcomes 13 Surviving Sloths from Shuttered Orlando Attraction
At least 69 wild-caught sloths were imported to stock Orlando Sloth World — billed as the world’s only “Slotharium” — and at least 31 of them died before the attraction ever opened its doors.
Only 13 survived. Approximately 24 more remain unaccounted for.
On April 24, The Sloth Conservation Foundation (SloCo) and The Sloth Institute (TSI) announced that the International Drive attraction would be closing permanently after months of criticism from conservation organizations.
The deaths reportedly happened not at the planned tourist site but inside a converted warehouse about a mile away. The group included both Hoffmann’s two-toed sloths and Linnaeus’s two-toed sloths.
13 Survivors Reach the Central Florida Zoo
The 13 surviving sloths arrived at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Garden on Friday, April 24.
Ben Agresta, who owned the Sloth World operation, initially contacted zoo officials early in the week. The zoo had to confirm it had quarantine space and adequate staffing before accepting the animals.
The sloths are now under management of the AZA Species Survival Plan (SSP), which will determine long-term placement at AZA-accredited facilities once the animals recover. They will remain in quarantine for at least 30 days and will not be available for public viewing during that period.
“When we were approached about taking in these sloths, the team all agreed it was something we should and wanted to do. Our Zoo team has decades of experience caring for sloths, and we can ensure they will receive the best care and nutrition to give them the best opportunity for a positive outcome,” Richard E. Glover, the zoo’s CEO, said in a release.
“This is also a meaningful opportunity for us to contribute to the long-term conservation of these unique species. By bringing these animals into an accredited setting and participating in the Species Survival Plan, we’re giving them the best possible chance to thrive and helping ensure a healthy, sustainable population of sloths for future generations,” he added.
Orlando Sloth World Survivors Show Signs of Recovery
In an April 25 update, the Central Florida Zoo confirmed that all 13 sloths survived the first 24 hours.
Veterinary staff examined every animal upon arrival and found many were dehydrated and underweight. All 13 are now eating and drinking properly. A handful required more intensive care, and those critical cases are showing early signs of improvement.
Some sloths are expected to remain at the Central Florida Zoo. Others will be moved to accredited partner facilities once stable.
The zoo has held continuous AZA accreditation since 1986 — regarded as the highest standard for animal care and welfare.
What Sloth World Orlando Was Supposed to Be
Sloth World was first announced in December and promoted as a guided walk-through tour with conservation and education themes. The original opening date was set for February. The planned attraction reportedly sold a substantial number of advance VIP tickets at $49 apiece.
Conservation groups say there have been no consequences for the deaths.
“Sloth World is an egregious example of the damaging effects of the sloth trade on the welfare and conservation of sloths, but every individual taken from the wild for entertainment is a tragedy. We won’t rest until they’re all safe,” Sam Trull of TSI said in a press release.
“There have still been no legal consequences for the facility’s owner, despite the suffering caused by his actions. It should not take 31 confirmed deaths and a campaign run by two foreign non-profit organizations for action to be taken,” Dr. Rebecca Cliffe of SloCo added.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
