FWC reports 31 imported sloths died at the wildlife facility in Orlando before the business opens to the public

A Florida Fish and Wildlife report reveals claims that 31 sloths died after being imported to an Orlando facility from South America.

ORLANDO, Fla. — A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) report says that 31 sloths died in a wildlife facility in Orlando after the animals were imported from Guyana and Peru.

On August 7, 2025, the FWC conducted an unannounced routine inspection, which later became public due to a Freedom of Information Act request by Inside Climate News. During the inspection, wildlife officials discovered that 21 sloths had been imported from Guyana and 10 from Peru, all of which had died. The sloths were brought to a wildlife facility located on International Drive in Orlando, which is associated with Sloth World. Sloth World is expected to open this year and plans to offer hour-long tours for $49.

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Peter Bandre, the owner of Sanctuary World Imports, according to Sunbiz, was present during the Aug. inspection, the FWC stated. 

The commission also said Bandre is the business partner of Benjamin Agresta, the registered agent of Sloth World in Orlando, according to Sunbiz. 

Agresta told Inside Climate News the state report indicating that sloths died is “completely fiction.”

In December 2024, the FWC report states that 21 sloths died “due to what Mr. Bandre called, a ‘Cold Stun.'” Then, in Feb. 2025, 10 more sloths died after arriving from Peru. According to Bandre’s statement to the FWC, eight died due to poor health issues, and two died on arrival.

Among the issues that seemed to have impacted the health of the sloths was that during the Winter of 2024, the facility did not have running water or electricity, resulting in low temperatures ahead of the arrival of some of the sloths.

“Multiple space heaters were purchased but had to be powered with an extension cord from a different building,” the FWC stated. “The space heaters tripped the fuse and shut down, and it appears that at least for one night, the sloths were in the cold building without heat. There was no one present overnight to correct this.”

The FWC report states that the officers who inspected the facility found that six sloths were in the location at that time. The FWC issued a verbal warning after stating that some of the cages were not in compliance with requirements established in Florida’s administrative codes, arguing that some of the cages were not properly marked, nor did the cages have written records to indicate “when these sloths were placed within these smaller cages.”

According to the FWC, Bandre and two staff members were cleaning cages and tending to the sloths, and after the warning, they placed smaller cages within larger ones to allow them to move between the cages at their choosing.

Sloth World says it will be the world’s first ‘slotharium.’ Its mission “focuses on sloth education, conservation, and rehabilitation, giving displaced animals a safe home while educating guests through meaningful, conservation-focused experiences. Every visit supports ongoing sloth protection efforts and helps inspire a deeper understanding of their natural behavior,” according to its website.

10 Tampa Bay News reached out to Sloth World for comment, but at the time of publishing, it has not received any response.

Sloth World could open within the next month, as its website states that “Sloth World is in ‘decoration mode’, installing our rainforest and testing systems. Expected opening in about 25 days.”