ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A state report obtained by Channel 9 details the deaths of 31 sloths meant for Orlando’s new “Sloth World” attraction.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission report details how many of the deaths were tied to preventable conditions inside a holding facility.
Despite those findings, emails between FWC officials and a state lawmaker show Sloth World is still hoping to open as early as mid-May.
Some families who already bought tickets say they are now asking for refunds.
Lisa Mark surprised her 11-year-old son, Brendan, with tickets to Sloth World for his birthday in March.
“He just loves sloths,” Mark said.
But after learning about the deaths and the FWC violation, Mark said she quickly changed her mind.
“We want our money back,” she said. “I can’t take my son to this. He would be upset to know the truth of what happened.”
According to the seven-page FWC report, Peter Bandre told investigators he ordered 21 sloths from Guyana, but the warehouse had no water or electricity when they arrived in December 2024.
Bandre told officials all 21 died from what he called a “cold stun.”
The report says 10 more sloths from Peru arrived about two months later. Bandre told FWC officials two were dead when they arrived, and the remaining eight were in poor health and later died.
When FWC inspected the warehouse, officials cited Bandre for keeping the remaining sloths in cages that were too small under Florida requirements.
FWC conducted a surprise inspection of the facility this week and found no violations and the sloths were in good health, according to emails between FWC officials and a lawmaker.
However, on Thursday, Orange County issued a “stop work” order for Sloth World’s warehouse where the sloths are being held.
WFTV has reached out to Orange County for more information on why this happened and if Sloth World had obtained any work permits.
Channel 9 tried to reach Bandre several times Thursday by phone, text, and in person at Sloth World, but he did not respond.
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
TOP STORIES FROM WFTV CHANNEL 9
©2026 Cox Media Group