As some lawmakers call for a criminal investigation into Sloth World after more than 50 sloths died, Gov. Ron DeSantis appears slow to join in.
“This issue with this Sloth World in Orlando, honestly, it was really, really weird to me,” DeSantis said when asked about his reaction during a news conference to announce a road construction project update in Volusia County. “I know FWC (the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) got involved and I think that they’re going to rectify whatever it was that was the matter.”
Sloth World was planning to open on Orlando’s International Drive until Inside Climate News broke the story about the sloths’ deaths as they were shipped to the United States from the jungle then stored in a warehouse with poor conditions.
Sloth World donated 13 surviving sloths to the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Sanford. The zoo, which is accepting donations from the public, is trying to nurse the animals back to health. One sloth that was in critical condition was euthanized, the zoo disclosed Wednesday.
Meanwhile, state Rep. Anna Eskamani is calling for Attorney General James Uthmeier to criminally investigate Sloth World.
“We need criminal charges for the so-called Sloth World. This is shameful,” said Eskamani, who is running to be the city’s Mayor in 2027, on X.
U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost is also calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to investigate the situation.
DeSantis did not address the two Orlando Democrats’ demands for state or federal action during his press conference.
“My kids, we’ve done a number of attractions over the years. That is not one we’ve yet gone to,” DeSantis said of Sloth World during his press conference. “So we’ll see what happens going forward.”
Sloth World, which had not officially opened, is not planning to ever open its doors, according to media reports.
