ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida wildlife officials are finalizing a plan to temporarily stop the importation of all sloths into the state in the wake of the deaths of dozens of sloths meant for a failed Orlando attraction.
Some 55 sloths have died since 2024, all in the care of the attraction Sloth World, which planned to open along International Drive in Orlando. That attraction is now not happening, and the company is bankrupt.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced the executive order during a meeting on Wednesday. The agency is also planning to form a task force to make changes to the rules regarding importation before the end of the year.
Sloth experts have urged the end of importing the animals.
“It is such a massive deal - we are so overwhelmed and excited,” said Dr. Rebecca Cliffe with the Sloth Conservation Foundation. “It was the best news to wake up to that I think I’ve ever had. And I know it seems like, ‘OK it’s a temporary ban just in Florida.’ And I’ve mentioned in our previous press conference that we’re not gonna stop until the importation of sloths is permanently banned at a federal level coming into the United States. That is the ultimate goal.”
Dr. Cliffe joined Sam Trull, of The Sloth Institute, for a virtual press conference held by Florida state representative Anna Eskamani (D) following FWC’s announcement.
“This is not only a huge step for Florida,” Trull said. “It’s a huge step for all of the United States.”
So far, no criminal charges have been brought against anyone associated with Sloth World.
Last week, News 6’s Mike Valente went to the home of Sloth World owner Ben Agresta to ask him questions about sloths he imported. He would not answer any questions and asked that News 6 leave his property.
During the virtual press conference Wednesday, Valente asked about the status of a criminal investigation.
Dr. Cliffe noted that when she and Trull were in Orlando last week to advocate for sloths, they met with prosectors from State Attorney Monique Worrell’s office and from Attorney General James Uthmeier’s office.
“They are taking this so seriously and they’re not leaving any stones unturned,” Dr. Cliffe said. “In fact, I just got an email from them right now. And they’re really diving into this, so I feel very confident that they are on a mission to catch the bad guys.”
While Dr. Cliffe and Trull credited FWC for listening to them during their meeting last week, they took issue with how the agency’s executive director characterized the illnesses the sloths contracted.
“It appears that this group of sloths contracted an intestinal infection that resulted in severe and in many cases fatal effects,” said FWC executive director Roger Young.
Dr. Cliffe said that statement lacks key context.
“It’s an excuse,” Dr. Cliffe said. “If they did contract an intestinal infection, why weren’t they being quarantined? Why was an infection allowed to spread throughout the population of captive sloths that they had?”
“The fact is that those sloths weren’t being properly cared for,” Dr. Cliffe continued.