In a concerning series of events, nearly 30 sloths perished at a Florida animal import facility between 2024 and 2025, highlighting significant failures in animal care and temperature management. The incident has raised alarms among wildlife authorities and animal welfare advocates regarding the treatment of imported animals.
### Deaths at Sanctuary World Imports
According to a report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 21 sloths imported from Guyana succumbed to what has been termed “cold stun” at the Sanctuary World Imports facility in Orlando. The distressing event occurred in December 2024, during a period when outside temperatures dropped to between 40 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 4.4 to 12.8 degrees Celsius). These temperatures are significantly lower than the optimal range for sloths, which is between 68 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 30 degrees Celsius), as established by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
Peter Bandre, identified in the inspection report as the facility’s licensee, explained that the animals’ deaths were associated with the extreme cold conditions. He mentioned that the facility was inadequately prepared for the arrival of the animals, lacking both water and electricity. Though space heaters were purchased to maintain a suitable temperature, they reportedly malfunctioned, leading to a power failure that left the sloths without adequate warmth for at least one night.
### Additional Deaths and Continued Care Issues
Following the distressing incident with the sloths from Guyana, the facility acquired another shipment of sloths from Peru in February 2025. Tragically, two sloths were dead upon arrival, while the others appeared malnourished and subsequently died from what the report categorized as “poor health issues.” In light of these repeated failures, Bandre mentioned plans to hire a new veterinarian, marking the third such effort according to state records.
The repeated incidents of sloth deaths have prompted scrutiny of the facility’s operations and ability to provide sufficient care and habitat for the imported animals. Attempts to reach Bandre for further comment were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to messages left by reporters.
### Changes at the Facility
In March 2026, follow-up inspections revealed changes at the previously troubled facility. The president of Sanctuary World, Benjamin Agresta, reported that the business had been rebranded to Sloth World Inc. and that Bandre was no longer associated with the operation. This shift in management has raised questions about accountability and the future handling of animals at the facility.
During the inspections conducted in March, officials noted that improvements had been made, including the installation of independent heating and air conditioning systems. Records indicated that temperatures in the holding areas were consistently maintained at a comfortable 82 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 27.8 degrees Celsius), an essential factor in the care of sloths, which are sensitive to temperature fluctuations.
Inspectors did not find any immediate issues with the sloths housed on the premises during these later examinations, suggesting that the facility may be moving towards better animal welfare practices following the previous tragedies.
### Implications for Animal Welfare
The incidents at Sanctuary World Imports underscore a broader concern regarding the treatment of imported wildlife and the need for stringent regulations governing animal care during transit and in holding facilities. The deaths of these sloths have prompted calls for enhanced oversight to ensure that animals are treated humanely and that their environmental needs are met upon arrival in the United States.
As awareness of animal welfare issues continues to grow, it is essential that facilities handling exotic animals adhere to strict standards, not just to safeguard the animals’ health but also to uphold the ethical responsibilities associated with wildlife importation. The tragic loss of these sloths serves as a reminder of the fragility of animal life and the importance of responsible care and management practices in facilities across the nation.
The ongoing developments at Sloth World Inc. will be closely monitored by wildlife authorities and animal rights advocates to ensure that the lessons learned from this troubling incident are applied in the future.
Source: Original Reporting
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