ORLANDO, Fla. — Questions are intensifying after multiple sloth deaths connected to Sloth World Orlando, with new scrutiny on Florida’s oversight of exotic animal encounters.
The most recent video shows sloths that once lived at the facility, 13 of them transferred in April to the Central Florida Zoo, where CEO Richard Glover says his team stepped in after a direct request for help.
“Because it was going to take some creative staffing to make it work. We called them back and said, yes, absolutely,” Glover said.
Ten staff members have been caring for the animals, but two have since died, leaving 11 still under watch.
Glover says there have been signs of progress, but the species remains fragile.
“With all the tests we’re doing and all the fluids we’re giving them, everything else we’re seeing improvement. But also, sometimes they can just crash very quickly,” he said.
The broader picture is even more troubling.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 31 sloths died between December 2024 and February 2025.
Necropsy reports point to stress, malnutrition, gastrointestinal issues and infections as causes.
Sloths are classified as Class III wildlife in Florida, meaning owners must report escapes, bites and transfers, but not illnesses or deaths.
A review by the agency found Sloth World did not violate any current permit regulations.
State Representative Lindsay Cross says that gap in reporting is a key issue.
“Under these class three permits does not require organizations to report animal deaths,” she said.
Cross adds any change would require proposals, public input, a commission vote, legislative approval and the governor’s signature.
“Well, I think we just need to have, a fundamental review of the type of oversight that FWC is doing for the housing of both domestic and exotic wildlife,” she said.
The deaths are also fueling debate over popular sloth encounter experiences offered across the state, where visitors can get close to the animals.
Animal rights advocates want those interactions to end.
“PETA is urging the public to end this cycle by staying away from any facility that uses wild animals for hands-on encounters,” said Cydnee Bence with PETA.
At the same time, conservationists acknowledge the public’s fascination with sloths but warn of the consequences.
“People love sloths and they want to see them and they want to they want to touch them. They want to hold them and be around them. But those people love sloths, and they don’t want them to be ripped out of the out of the trees and to be dying under these horrible conditions,” said Rebecca Cliffe, founder of the Sloth Conservation Foundation.
Now, with dozens of deaths and growing public pressure, conservationists and lawmakers are urging the state to take a closer look at how these animals are regulated and whether changes are needed to prevent another tragedy.
The founder of the Sloth Conservation Foundation is coming to Orlando on Tuesday to meet with lawmakers about current regulations.
FWC is expected to meet on May 13 in Ft. Myers.
Currently, the sloth deaths are not on the record as an agenda item, but it could still come up under a discussion or public comment.