Habanero the sloth died Saturday at the Central Florida Zoo. The animal is the second to die from a group of 13 moved to the zoo in late April from a planned attraction on International Drive, the zoo said in a news release Sunday.
There are now 33 dead sloths that were imported by the owners of Sloth World, who have since announced the attraction will not open.
Habanero had been in critical condition since late Friday afternoon, experiencing increased lethargy, after initially showing positive health improvement upon his arrival from Sloth World on April 24. On Saturday evening, veterinarians at the zoo decided to humanely euthanize him as his health was continuing to decline, the zoo said in a statement.
“Our team worked tirelessly to provide the highest level of care possible for Habanero,” said Richard E. Glover Jr., the zoo’s CEO. “While we are deeply saddened by this loss, we remain committed to doing everything we can for the remaining sloths. Situations like this are incredibly difficult, but they are not unexpected given the fragile condition some of these animals were in upon arrival.”
Bandit was the first sloth from the group to die. He had been in critical condition since his arrival, showing signs of severe lethargy, dehydration and died Wednesday, the zoo said.
The zoo’s veterinary and animal care teams continue to closely monitor the remaining 11 sloths, the zoo said. But two additional sloths were listed in guarded condition Sunday. These animals were among those identified as the most vulnerable when they first arrived, and their care remains a top priority, the zoo said.
Upon their, arrival all 13 sloths were placed in a 30-day quarantine to deal with their conditions and to protect other animals within the zoo. The animals were imported with the intention of being showcased at the I-Drive attraction. But the business drew scrutiny after 31 sloth deaths in its warehouse facility came to light in reporting from Inside Climate News.
Owner Ben Agresta then donated the sloths to the zoo in Sanford, which is working with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums regarding future placement of the animals. Agresta announced Sloth World in December.
On Friday, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier confirmed that a criminal probe is underway into the deaths of the sloths at Sloth World.
The criminal investigation is being led by the Orange-Osceola State Attorney’s Office with assistance of a statewide prosecutor with expertise in “animal welfare law,” who will consider possible charges, including those under Florida’s animal cruelty laws, Uthmeier said in a statement Friday.