ORLANDO, Fla. \u2013 Florida prosecutors are looking into whether criminal charges are possible after dozens of sloths died ahead of the opening of Sloth World in Orlando.<\/p>\n
On Friday, Attorney General James Uthmeier responded to a call for a criminal investigation from State Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando.<\/p>\n
Sloth World was supposed to open as an attraction on International Drive. But that is not happening now, after it was learned that 31 sloths intended for the attraction had died between December of 2024 and February of last year. <\/p>\n
[WATCH: Lawmaker calls for criminal investigation after sloth dies following rescue from Orlando attraction]<\/p>\n
Another 13 sloths meant for the attraction were transferred to the Central Florida Zoo in Sanford. Doctors say the animals were in various states of dehydration and malnutrition. <\/p>\n
One of those animals, a three-month-old baby named Bandit, died this week, the zoo reported.<\/p>\n
In the wake of Bandit\u2019s death, Eskamani called on state and federal agencies to investigate the business and its owner.<\/p>\n
[WATCH: Central Florida Zoo doctors say 13 Sloth World sloths have dehydration, malnutrition]<\/p>\n
In talking to News 6 earlier this week, Eskamani also raised concerns about potential gaps in Florida law, warning that without enforcement or legislative changes, similar situations could happen again.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there\u2019s not criminal charges and if there\u2019s not a closing of these loopholes in Florida law, nothing stops someone from pursuing the same type of business model,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
According to Uthmeier, it will be up to Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell to determine if any criminal charges can be brought against Sloth World\u2019s owners. <\/p>\n
Sloth World is filing for bankruptcy, and the remaining sloths have been turned over to the Central Florida Zoo for proper care.<\/p>\n
One of our Statewide Prosecutors is assisting the Ninth Circuit with the ongoing criminal investigation. pic.twitter.com\/GalgtbxBZI<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) May 1, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Uthmeier said Lauryn Day, a senior assistant statewide prosecutor and animal welfare law expert, is working with Worrell\u2019s office.<\/p>\n \u201cOur office is unwavering in its commitment to pursuing justice on behalf of those who are unable to protect themselves,\u201d Uthmeier wrote to Eskamani. \u201cWe will ensure accountability wherever the evidence requires.\u201d<\/p>\n Eskamani said the investigation was about making sure nothing like this happens again in Florida.<\/p>\n \u201cGrateful to see this become a bipartisan issue. We\u2019ll keep up the drumbeat for accountability until there are real answers and real consequences,\u201d she posted on X.com<\/a> .<\/p>\n Grateful to see this become a bipartisan issue. We\u2019ll keep up the drumbeat for accountability until there are real answers and real consequences.<\/p>\n This is about honoring the sloths that died and making sure nothing like this ever happens again in Florida. https:\/\/t.co\/B0KDnYZQUb<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Rep. Anna V. Eskamani, PhD \ud83d\udd28 (@AnnaForFlorida) May 1, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Breaking News Alerts<\/p>\n Get breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.<\/p>\n