Orlando's Sloth World Closes as 24 Sloths Remain Missing and 31 Are Confirmed Dead
Orlando Sloth World, the International Drive attraction billed as the world’s only “Slotharium,” will never open its doors. Conservation groups announced on April 24 that the facility is closing permanently after at least 31 sloths died before the attraction welcomed a single visitor.
Sloth World Orlando was first announced in December and promoted as a guided walk-through tour with conservation and education themes. The original opening date was set for February.
The operation reportedly sold a substantial number of advance VIP tickets at $49 apiece. It remains unclear what happens to ticketholders’ money now that the attraction has shut down permanently.
How the Animals Were Sourced and What Went Wrong
According to The Sloth Conservation Foundation (SloCo), the facility imported at least 69 wild-caught sloths. The deaths reportedly happened in a converted warehouse located about a mile from the planned public site on International Drive.
As of the most recent update, only 13 sloths had survived. The group includes both Hoffmann’s two-toed sloths and Linnaeus’s two-toed sloths. Approximately 24 additional sloths obtained by Sloth World remain unaccounted for.
Ben Agresta owned the operation. SloCo and The Sloth Institute (TSI) had been highly critical of the attraction in the months since it was announced.
“Sloth World is an egregious example of the damaging effects of the sloth trade on the welfare and conservation of sloths, but every individual taken from the wild for entertainment is a tragedy. We won’t rest until they’re all safe,” Sam Trull of TSI said in a press release.
“There have still been no legal consequences for the facility’s owner, despite the suffering caused by his actions. It should not take 31 confirmed deaths and a campaign run by two foreign non-profit organizations for action to be taken,” Dr. Rebecca Cliffe of SloCo added.
Central Florida Zoo Takes in Survivors
The 13 surviving sloths arrived at the Central Florida Zoo on Friday, April 24.
Agresta initially contacted zoo officials early in the week, and the zoo confirmed internally that it had quarantine space and adequate staffing to take on the animals.
The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens has held continuous AZA accreditation since 1986, regarded as the highest standard for animal care and welfare.
The sloths are now under management of the AZA Species Survival Plan (SSP), which will determine long-term placement at accredited facilities once the animals recover.
“Our Zoo team has decades of experience caring for sloths, and we can ensure they will receive the best care and nutrition to give them the best opportunity for a positive outcome,” CEO Richard E. Glover said in a news release.
“By bringing these animals into an accredited setting and participating in the Species Survival Plan, we’re giving them the best possible chance to thrive and helping ensure a healthy, sustainable population of sloths for future generations,” he added.
The animals will stay in quarantine for at least 30 days and will not be available for public viewing during that period.
In an April 25 update, the Central Florida Zoo confirmed that all 13 sloths have survived the first 24 hours. Veterinary staff examined every animal upon arrival. Many were found to be dehydrated and underweight, but all 13 are now eating and drinking properly. A handful required more intensive care and are showing early signs of improvement.
Some sloths are expected to remain at the Central Florida Zoo. Others will be moved to accredited partner facilities once stable.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
