Florida prosecutors open criminal investigation into deaths of 31 sloths

9 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 1

Attorney General James Uthmeier said state prosecutors were assisting Orlando-area counterparts after 31 imported sloths died in an unheated warehouse linked to the planned Sloth World park.
The Central Florida Zoo said one of 13 rescued sloths, Bandit, was euthanized, while the other 12 were stable; the park’s proprietor has reportedly filed for bankruptcy and abandoned opening plans.
Wildlife officials said the deaths surfaced only after an August 2025 inspection, and all permitted facilities are now closed as investigators review imports, permits and possible wider wrongdoing.

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