ORLANDO, FL — A grim discovery by the Florida Fish and Rescue Conservation Commission (FWC) has cast a dark shadow over the planned opening of Sloth World, a new permanent exhibit in the heart of Orlando’s tourist corridor. According to an investigative report released Friday, 31 sloths destined for the attraction died during transport or while being held in a Florida warehouse that lacked basic utilities.
The “Slothnarium,” which was marketed as a world-class, rainforest-inspired habitat designed for animal wellbeing, is now facing intense scrutiny from lawmakers and animal rights advocates who call the deaths a “preventable tragedy.”
Warehouse Without Heat: A ‘Cold Stun’ Event
The FWC report outlines two separate, devastating shipments of the slow-moving mammals.
- December 2024: Twenty-one sloths were shipped from Guyana to a Florida warehouse. Upon arrival, investigators found the facility had no electricity or running water.
- The Failure: Staff purchased space heaters to keep the tropical animals warm, but the heaters tripped a fuse and shut down. For at least one night, the sloths—native to climates between 70°F and 86°F—were left in temperatures that plummeted to 46°F.
Peter Bandre, the attraction’s vice president and a self-described “sloth expert,” reportedly told investigators that the warehouse was not properly prepared to receive the animals, but stated it was “too late to cancel the shipment.” He attributed the mass casualty event to a “cold stun.”
Starvation and Sickness
The tragedy continued in February 2025, when another shipment of 10 sloths arrived from Peru. Two were dead upon arrival, and the remaining eight were described as “emaciated.” Despite attempts to stabilize them, all eight succumbed to poor health and died shortly after.
Ben Agresta, the owner of Sloth World, has denied the allegations of negligence. In a statement to local media, Agresta claimed the sloths were victims of an undetectable virus that showed no symptoms even after a necropsy.
Regulatory Gaps and ‘Stop Work’ Orders
Despite the high death toll, the FWC closed its investigation without issuing a written warning or citation, noting that the owner held a valid permit to exhibit and sell wildlife. This has sparked outrage from Florida State Representative Anna Eskamani, who is now calling for legislative changes.
“This case exposes a major gap in wildlife permits,” Eskamani said, pointing out that current laws do not require owners to report animal deaths to the FWC. “If it wasn’t for everyday people reporting these deaths, it’s hard to know when the FWC would have even learned about this.”
On Thursday, Orange County’s building safety office posted a “Stop Work Order” at the warehouse where the animals were housed, citing multiple violations of state building codes and county rules.
The Future of Sloth World
Currently, more than a dozen surviving sloths intended for the attraction have been moved to another zoo in Central Florida for emergency care. It remains unclear if Sloth World will ever open its doors to the public.
Conservationists, including the Sloth Institute, warn that removing sloths from their natural canopies often leads to fatal health issues due to dietary changes and artificial environments.
What do you think, Orlando? Should Florida have stricter laws regarding the reporting of animal deaths in private attractions? Is the current permitting process for “roadside zoos” sufficient?
Share your thoughts in the comments and follow for updates on this developing investigation.
