Dumpling\u2019s death follows the loss of Bandit last week, among the rescued group and highlights the uncertainty surrounding the remaining animals.<\/p>\n
Published May 5, 2026 11:13 AM CDT\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
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Updated May 5, 2026 11:17 AM CDT\n\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\tDumpling is the second sloth to die after being released into the care of the Central Florida Zoo from Sloth World. (Image Credit: Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens)\n<\/p>\n
\n\tA second sloth rescued from a shuttered Orlando<\/a>-area attraction has died, according to an update from the Central Florida Zoo, underscoring the fragile condition of animals seized late last month.<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \n\tZoo officials said<\/a> Dumpling, one of the sloths transferred to their care on April 24 in critical condition, died Monday morning after battling ongoing health complications. Care teams reported the animal had experienced \u201ca series of ups and downs\u201d over the past 11 days but continued to struggle with digestion and gastrointestinal issues before a rapid decline.\n<\/p>\n \n\tDumpling\u2019s death follows the loss of Bandit last week, among the rescued group and highlights the uncertainty surrounding the remaining animals. The zoo noted that sloths are known to mask severe illness, often showing few warning signs until conditions become advanced and difficult to reverse.\n<\/p>\n \n\tA rescued sloth at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens in Sanford, Florida, on April 27, 2026.\n<\/p>\n \n\tSloths have extremely slow metabolisms, meaning underlying health problems may take weeks to surface. That delayed response can make treatment and recovery more complicated for animals already in weakened condition.\n<\/p>\n \n\t“Dumpling\u2019s death reflects that this is a day-by-day situation here for the remaining sloths in our care,” the zoo said in an update.\n<\/p>\n \n\tThe remaining animals are being closely monitored as veterinary teams continue treatment and supportive care.\n<\/p>\n \n\tTwo rescued sloths receive care at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens in Sanford, Florida, on April 27, 2026.\n<\/p>\n \n\tThe sloths were among a group removed from a now-closed attraction, Sloth World, in the Orlando area. Authorities previously said several of the animals arrived malnourished or in poor health, prompting intensive rehabilitation efforts.\n<\/p>\n \n\tInvestigations found that more than 31 sloths imported for the exhibit died between late 2024 and early 2025 while being housed in a warehouse with inadequate conditions, as first reported by\u00a0Inside Climate News.<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \n\tAccording to an incident report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, many of the deaths were linked to \u201ccold stun\u201d during a winter cold spell when heating systems failed. Others were reported to be in poor health or emaciated.\n<\/p>\n \n\tSloths are native to the warm rainforests of Central and South America. When temperatures drop, their bodies can\u2019t function properly, leading to digestive shutdown or what\u2019s known as cold stunning.\n<\/p>\n \n\tCentral Florida zoo staff say they remain focused on stabilizing the surviving sloths as they continue to recover.\n<\/p>\n