A popular "Sloth World" attraction planned for opening this spring is now shrouded in controversy. As reported by the BBC, this comes after two instances of imported sloths dying. The number of dead sloths has been reported as a terrifying 31.
"Sloth World" in Orlando has been advertised as a very unique "slothnarium". The attraction would feature many sloths in a public, permanent exhibit. They describe the attraction as featuring a rainforest-inspired habitat that is "designed exclusively with sloth wellbeing in mind." But, sloths that were imported to stay at the attraction ended up dying under mysterious circumstances.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, many of the sloths that tragically died were kept in a warehouse under substandard conditions. Others apparently were dead on arrival or already in ill health.
Two instances of sloths dying have been reported by the FWC. One was in December 2024, when 21 Guyanan sloths died due to the low temperature in the Florida warehouse they were shipped to. The second instance was in 2025. Two of 10 Peruvian sloths were dead on arrival, while the other eight "appeared emaciated". They all later died due to "poor health issues."
Videos by Wide Open Country
The Owner Has Claimed He Did Nothing Wrong With the Sloths
The owner of Sloth World, Ben Agresta, has pushed back on the allegations of animal abuse. He said that there was "so much false and inaccurate information out there right now" about Sloth World.
He added that, "The truth is, we lost sloths that had a virus of which showed barely any symptoms and was undetectable even after necropsy."
The Sloth World vice president, Peter Bandre, also told FWC investigators that the warehouse just wasn't ready to receive the sloths. He said, "It was too late to cancel the shipment" and the animals ended up dying of a "cold stun."
The sloths ended up being in the warehouse while it didn't have electricity or heaters. Sloths typically live in areas ranging from 70 to 86 degrees F.
However, the FWC has closed its investigations into Sloth World. They didn't give any written warnings or citations. However, there are a number of other bodies that are investigating the incidents.
