Florida's attorney general has ordered prosecutors to investigate the deaths of 31 sloths that were imported from South America and left to perish in an unheated warehouse while being prepared for display at a new Orlando theme park called Sloth World.
James Uthmeier announced Friday that his office would assist state prosecutors from the ninth circuit in what he called an "ongoing criminal investigation" into both the animals' deaths and the circumstances of their removal from rainforests in Peru and Guyana.
The sloths died between December 2024 and February 2025. A Florida fish and wildlife commission report, released last week, documented the deaths after FWC officials made an unannounced inspection of the warehouse in August 2025. During that visit, Sloth World's owner at the time, Peter Bandre, told inspectors that 21 two-toed sloths from Guyana had died from "cold stun" when temporary heaters failed. He said ten additional sloths came from Peru, with two arriving dead and eight others succumbing to what he described as "poor health issues" after appearing severely malnourished.
The investigation took on additional urgency after the Central Florida Zoo announced Wednesday that one of 13 sloths rescued from the warehouse had to be euthanized. That animal, named Bandit, arrived at the zoo in critical condition showing severe lethargy, dehydration, nutritional imbalances, and gastrointestinal complications. The remaining 12 rescued sloths are now in stable condition.
Sloth World's proprietor has filed for bankruptcy and abandoned plans to open the 7,500-square-foot attraction on International Drive, Orlando's main tourism corridor. Bandre parted ways with the business, and current sole owner and president Ben Agresta did not respond to requests for comment.
Uthmeier's involvement signals the severity of the case. He noted in a letter to Democratic state representative Anna Eskamani that prosecutors from his office typically only step in on animal welfare matters if there is "evidence of a pattern of racketeering activity." The primary investigative authority remains with Monique Worrell, state attorney for the ninth circuit, who did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Eskamani, who is running for mayor of Orlando, had demanded an investigation on Thursday. She questioned why the state had approved permits for the animals' importation and how Sloth World received authorization to operate.
"The loss of dozens of animals under preventable conditions demands accountability," she wrote to Uthmeier. "These reports raise not only questions of individual responsibility, but also broader concerns about regulatory oversight and enforcement."
A fish and wildlife commission spokesperson confirmed that Sloth World reported importing 61 sloths between December 2024 and March 2026. The commission said it consulted a veterinarian who found multiple systemic viral infections, neurological disease, respiratory disease, gastrointestinal disease, and evidence of immune suppression in the dead animals. The necropsies did not establish a single primary cause of death or the origin of infection.
Florida's permit system did not require Sloth World to report animal fatalities, the FWC spokesperson said, explaining that permit holders must maintain detailed records but have no obligation to disclose deaths. All Sloth World facilities have now closed, no sloths remain at any previously permitted locations, and the FWC is working with the owner to relinquish all permits.
Jonathan Morris, general counsel for captive animal law enforcement for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, called for the strongest possible prosecution. "These sloths were snatched from their rainforest homes and endured a terrifying journey thousands of miles away before being left to die in a barren warehouse," he said in a statement.
Richard Glover, chief executive of the Central Florida Zoo, described his staff as "heartbroken" over Bandit's death. "Our team did everything possible to give him the best chance at survival and ensure he was comfortable in his final days," he said.
Author James Rodriguez: "This case exposes a gaping regulatory failure: Florida approved the import and display of 61 sloths with virtually no safeguard to prevent animals from dying in warehouses, and no requirement to even report the deaths."
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