Orange County considers tighter exotic animal rules after Sloth World deaths
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. —
Orange County commissioners are set to discuss potential changes to local regulations on exotic wildlife businesses after the deaths of 31 sloths at Sloth World on International Drive.
Last week, Florida wildlife officials said there was no evidence of criminal neglect or abuse linked to the sloths’ deaths. However, Commissioner Nicole Wilson believes stronger protections for exotic animals are needed to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The discussion comes after concerns that Sloth World operated animals out of a warehouse that was not approved for that type of use. Reports indicate that 21 of the 31 sloths died of cold stress inside the warehouse.
Wilson said the county cannot stop the importation of exotic animals, as that is under federal jurisdiction, but it can strengthen local business licensing, zoning rules and enforcement.
“So potentially prohibiting a business from opening with a model that allows for entertainment-based wildlife interaction. So the idea of not having a qualified veterinarian, a qualified wildlife supervisor, we should not be allowing that. There’s got to be a way to do it. So if a business license prohibition is the way to go, that’s the way I want to go,” Wilson said.
Wilson added that the goal is to close loopholes that allowed the Sloth World operation to continue and to give county inspectors stronger tools to catch similar situations before animals are put at risk.
Tuesday’s meeting will be a discussion only, not a final vote. If commissioners agree to move forward, county staff will begin drafting ordinance changes to be discussed at a future public hearing.