Fifty-seven sloths recently sadly passed away in Florida. Now, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing connected to the deaths of the sloths intended for a failed Orlando tourist attraction.
The agency released its 44-page final investigative report Wednesday, Aug. 19, after reviewing veterinary records, inspection reports and diagnostic findings. Investigators also interviewed more than 20 people during the three-month inquiry.
Sloth World was promoted as an interactive attraction where visitors could see sloths inside a simulated rainforest. It never opened, and its remaining wildlife permits were eventually relinquished.
Investigators concluded that the deaths were likely caused by a combination of disease, transportation stress, nutritional problems and other medical conditions rather than criminal activity or improper care.
The deaths involved multiple shipments of Sloths
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Earlier Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission records documented 21 deaths after a breaker interrupted power to space heaters during cold weather at an Orlando warehouse.
Another shipment arrived from Peru in February 2025 with two sloths already dead. Eight others reportedly arrived emaciated and in poor health before also dying.
Eight rescued sloths remain at a Florida zoo
Thirteen surviving sloths were transferred to the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens in April. Several arrived underweight, dehydrated and suffering from gastrointestinal problems.
Five later died despite receiving veterinary treatment. The zoo reported in its most recent public update that the remaining eight were stable and receiving care in an isolated area behind the scenes. The survivors are named Chewy, Dolce, Phantom, Blackberry, Hazel, Leeloo, Mojo Jojo and Pearl.
Florida changed its sloth-import rules
Florida now requires anyone importing a sloth to obtain a separate Wildlife Importation Permit before the animal enters the state. The free permit covers one importation and remains valid for 45 days.
Although the sheriff’s office closed its investigation, the case was referred to the State Attorney’s Office for independent review. Prosecutors have not announced a final decision.
The Sloth Protection Alliance has questioned the sheriff’s conclusion, arguing that the report still documents environmental failures, severe illness and concerns about how the animals were housed and cared for.