Representative Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) has called for a federal investigation after a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission report revealed that 31 sloths perished in storage warehouses tied to a yet-unopened Orlando tourist attraction, Sloth World. The animals, imported from South American rainforests, died between December 2024 and February 2025 under what Frost described as horrific conditions.
“These sloths — naturally solitary animals — were put in the worst conditions possible,” Frost wrote on X Thursday. “They were taken from their natural habitats to a packed warehouse that wasn’t properly heated and allowed for the spread of deadly viruses, leading to a stress-induced death.”
The commission’s incident report detailed that the facility’s then-owner, Peter Bandre, told inspectors 21 sloths from Guyana succumbed to a “cold stun.” The warehouse lacked water and electricity; it relied on heaters powered by an extension cord from a neighboring building and was not ready to receive the animals during December’s cold snap. Bandre said it was too late to cancel the shipment.
Another 10 sloths arrived from Peru four days after the first batch. Two were dead on arrival, and the others died from poor health issues, appearing emaciated. The deaths have sparked outrage among animal welfare advocates and political figures, with Frost vowing to coordinate with local officials to determine next steps.
“I’ve called on the Secretary of Agriculture and USDA to investigate Sloth World, protect any surviving sloths, and prevent more from being brought in,” Frost said in a follow-up post Friday. “We cannot allow this to continue.”
Sloth World, in a statement to Fox 35 on Monday, said it had been “managing a difficult situation regarding a foreign virus” and had worked tirelessly with its veterinarian, the Florida Department of Agriculture, and outside experts. The company denied rumors that the sloths were “cold-stunned” or left without water and electricity, asserting that a recent inspection by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission found “absolutely no wrongdoings” and fully renewed its license.
However, an inspector with Orange County’s Building Safety issued a “stop work” order at the warehouse Thursday after determining that animals appeared to be stored without a permit. It remains unclear whether sloths were still in the building at that time.
The incident has drawn attention to broader regulatory gaps in animal importation and care, echoing debates over wildlife oversight that have surfaced in recent years. Meanwhile, Frost’s push for a USDA probe aligns with a growing trend among Democrats seeking to highlight animal welfare and consumer protection issues as part of their midterm messaging.
