More than two dozen sloths perished in a warehouse around two minutes from the Sloth World Orlando<\/a> location between December 2024 and February 2025, the FWC said, as Fox35 reported. \u00a0<\/p>\n STATE’S RARE FREEZE GIVES RESIDENTS AND VISITORS GREEN LIGHT TO COLLECT STUNNED INVASIVE IGUANAS<\/a><\/p>\n Under Florida statutes, Sloth World had no obligation to report the deaths. However, during a routine and unannounced inspection in August 2025, the FWC investigators inquired about previous sloth deaths, according to Fox35<\/a>.<\/p>\n The FWC report found that 21 sloths died shortly after arriving in December 2024. An additional 10 sloths, shipped from Peru in February 2025, also died.<\/p>\n As Sloth World Orlando prepares to open, disturbing questions are surfacing. (iStock)<\/p>\n The FWC believes that the sloths that arrived in December died from “cold stun.”<\/a><\/p>\n A previous co-owner told FWC the warehouse was not ready for the incoming sloths \u2014 but that it was too late to cancel the shipment, Fox35 reported.<\/p>\n The previous co-owner claimed the building did not have running water<\/a> or electricity for a period of time.<\/p>\n Space heaters<\/a> were purchased and powered with an extension cord from a nearby building, the previous co-owner alleged.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER<\/a><\/p>\n At some point, the fuse tripped, leaving the sloths with no heat for at least one night, according to the report.<\/p>\n The report also noted that the coldest recorded temperature was 46<\/a> degrees on Dec. 22.<\/p>\n Two sloths were dead on arrival in the February 2025 shipment from Peru. The remaining eight sloths “appeared emaciated and in very poor health<\/a>” \u2014 and later died, according to the report.<\/p>\n Two sloths (not pictured) were dead on arrival in the February 2025 shipment, according to a shocking report by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. (iStock)<\/p>\n Fox35 reported that it reached out to the current owner, who vehemently denied the allegations.<\/p>\n “Recently, our facility has been managing a difficult situation involving a foreign virus,” he told Fox35.<\/p>\n “We have worked tirelessly alongside our veterinarian, the Florida Department of Agriculture<\/a> and other outside experts to successfully identify the virus and address it.”<\/p>\n CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES<\/a><\/p>\n “We are aware of rumors such as claiming that our sloths were ‘cold-stunned’ or left without water and electricity. These claims are entirely false,” the owner continued.<\/p>\n “We remain deeply committed to the continued care, safety and health of our sloth population.”<\/p>\n “The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) conducted a thorough inspection of our facility just last week, found absolutely no wrongdoings and fully renewed our license,” he added.<\/p>\n FWC did not issue formal violations, noting no “intentional malconduct,” but gave a verbal warning regarding cage sizes.<\/p>\n Sloth World Orlando, a planned “slotharium” on International Drive, was originally slated to open in March 2026, positioning itself as a first-of-its-kind, conservation-focused attraction<\/a> featuring dozens of sloths.<\/p>\n Sloth World Orlando was originally slated to open in March 2026. It was positioning itself as a first-of-its-kind, conservation-focused attraction. (iStock)<\/p>\n The project has faced delays and is now expected to open later in 2026, with the timeline shifting as the facility works through operational challenges.<\/p>\n TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ<\/a><\/p>\n Investigators cited factors such as cold exposure<\/a>, transport stress and poor health on arrival, while the company disputes claims of inadequate conditions.<\/p>\n Despite the controversy, the attraction is continuing to move forward, though it remains under close public scrutiny.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/mystery-animal-deaths-orlando-warehouse.jpeg\")
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