Deadly Warehouse Conditions Revealed as Florida Probes ‘Sloth World’ Attraction
Florida wildlife officials are investigating a planned Orlando tourist attraction called Sloth World after a report revealed that 31 sloths imported from South America died in a storage warehouse last year. The deaths, which occurred between December 2024 and February 2025, have sparked outrage from animal advocates and calls to halt the attraction’s opening.
According to a report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the facility’s former owner, Peter Bandre, told inspectors that 21 two-toed sloths from Guyana suffered a “cold stun” when temporary heaters failed. The warehouse had no water or power, so the heaters ran on extension cords from a neighboring building. Another 10 sloths arrived from Peru; two were dead on arrival, and the rest died from “poor health issues” after appearing severely underweight.
An FWC inspection in August 2025 found that the animal enclosures did not meet welfare standards. The agency issued no fines but gave a verbal warning for a “captive wildlife discrepancy.”
Animal advocacy groups, including World Animal Protection US, are urging Orange County officials to block Sloth World’s planned opening next month. “These solitary animals were brutally taken from their natural habitat, left to starve and freeze,” said Nicole Barrantes, the group’s wildlife campaign manager. Congressman Maxwell Frost called the deaths “appalling” and said his office is investigating.
Fox 35 reported that a county building inspector issued a “stop work” order after finding the warehouse empty. The building is permitted for vehicle storage, not animals. Sloth World’s website promotes the venue as a “slotharium” with over 40 sloths in a rainforest-inspired habitat. It claims Bandre is a top sloth expert, but he has since left the business. Current owner Ben Agresta did not respond to requests for comment.
In a statement, Sloth World denied the “cold-stunned” and utility claims, saying FWC renewed their license after a recent inspection. Conservation groups remain skeptical. The Sloth Conservation Foundation noted that between 2011 and 2021, 1,141 sloths were imported to the U.S., mostly from Guyana, calling the practice unjustifiable in 2026.