As 10 sloths recover at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced a temporary ban on the import of sloths into Florida.<\/p>\n
The move comes after 55 sloths died while waiting to be part of an exhibit at Sloth World.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m trying not to cry because I\u2019m really happy change is actually being made,\u201d said Sam Trull of The Sloth Institute.<\/p>\n
The executive order was released Wednesday evening. FWC Executive Director Roger Young said, \u201cThe executive order that will temporarily prohibit the importation of sloths in the state of Florida.\u201d<\/p>\n
State Rep. Anna Eskamani said the ban will last 60 days, adding that changing policy at an agency is quicker than changing state law.<\/p>\n
Young said the temporary ban will give the agency time to change existing rules involving sloths under a class three permit, which currently requires no knowledge of caring for them despite their more complicated needs.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur captive wildlife team conducted a thorough investigation and all permits associated with Sloth World have since been relinquished to FWC,\u201d Young said.<\/p>\n
FWC officials defended their decision not to issue citations in connection with the deaths of the 55 sloths. Officials also said they contacted other Florida facilities housing sloths and confirmed the animals there are healthy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis very unfortunate situation resulted from one facility Sloth World and they\u2019re no longer licensed and it\u2019s not a wide spread issue,\u201d Young said.<\/p>\n
Experts said 98% of sloths enter through the Port of Miami, meaning enforcement would likely happen there, as well as at other ports and airports.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not gonna stop till the implementation of sloths is permanently banned on a Federal level coming into the United States,\u201d said Rebecca Cliffe of The Sloth Conservation Foundation.<\/p>\n
Anyone who violates the executive order could face criminal charges.<\/p>\n
Fl Fwc Sloth Exec Order <\/a> by bnro1998 <\/a> Click here<\/a> to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here<\/a> to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.<\/p>\n
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