A planned wildlife attraction in Orlando is facing intense scrutiny after a grim discovery inside a nearby warehouse. State investigators found dozens of sloths had died while under the care of the business behind Sloth World Orlando, raising urgent questions about transport conditions, facility readiness, and how the losses went unreported for months.

Disturbing Findings Inside Orlando Facility

As Sloth World Orlando works toward launching a 7,500-square-foot, cage-free rainforest experience, investigators uncovered that at least 31 sloths died while connected to the operation.

According to state findings, more than two dozen sloths died at a warehouse located just minutes from the future attraction between December 2024 and February 2025.

Officials said the deaths were not required to be reported under Florida law. However, the matter surfaced during a routine, unannounced inspection in August 2025, when investigators asked about earlier animal losses.

The report determined that 21 sloths died soon after arriving in December 2024. Another 10 sloths shipped from Peru in February 2025 later died as well.

Claims Of Cold Exposure And Poor Conditions

Investigators believe the December shipment died from “cold stun.”

A former co-owner reportedly told officials the warehouse was not ready when the animals arrived, but the shipment could no longer be canceled.

That same former co-owner said the building lacked running water and electricity for a period of time. Space heaters were allegedly brought in and powered through an extension cord from a neighboring building.

At some point, the fuse reportedly tripped, leaving the animals without heat for at least one night.

Records also noted that the coldest temperature logged on Dec. 22 was 46 degrees.

February Shipment Raised More Alarm

The second shipment, which arrived from Peru in February 2025, brought fresh concerns.

Two sloths were dead on arrival. The remaining eight sloths “appeared emaciated and in very poor health” before later dying, according to investigators.

Those findings deepened public concern and intensified pressure on the attraction before it has even opened its doors.

Owner Pushes Back Strongly

The current owner rejected the allegations and blamed a separate health issue.

“Recently, our facility has been managing a difficult situation involving a foreign virus,” he told Fox35.

“We have worked tirelessly alongside our veterinarian, the Florida Department of Agriculture and other outside experts to successfully identify the virus and address it.”

He also dismissed claims surrounding the warehouse conditions.

“We are aware of rumors such as claiming that our sloths were ‘cold-stunned’ or left without water and electricity. These claims are entirely false,” the owner continued.

“We remain deeply committed to the continued care, safety and health of our sloth population.”

He added that regulators had recently inspected the property.

“The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) conducted a thorough inspection of our facility just last week, found absolutely no wrongdoings and fully renewed our license,” he added.

Later, the owner repeated the company’s position on animal welfare.

“We have always prioritized the health and well-being of our animals, investing millions into their care and habitats,” the current owner said, according to Fox35.

“We remain deeply committed to the continued care, safety and health of our sloth”

No Formal Violations, But Questions Remain

State officials did not issue formal violations, saying they found no “intentional malconduct.” Still, investigators reportedly gave a verbal warning tied to cage sizes.

That distinction may offer legal breathing room, but it has done little to quiet public outrage.

Opening Delayed As Scrutiny Grows

Sloth World Orlando had originally planned to open in March 2026 as a first-of-its-kind, conservation-focused attraction featuring dozens of sloths.

Instead, the project has been delayed and is now expected to open later in 2026.

Officials cited cold exposure, transport stress, and poor health upon arrival as possible contributing factors, while the company continues to dispute claims of inadequate care.

For now, the attraction remains under a cloud of controversy, with many still asking one simple question: how did this happen?