The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens has accepted a donation of 13 sloths from Sloth World following the death of 31 sloths destined for the planned attraction.
Sloth World, billed as the world's first "slotharium", was due to open on International Drive in Orlando this year.
However, 31 sloths planned for Sloth World have died before the opening, according to a report released on Friday (24 April) by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
Via the FWC report, 21 sloths shipped from Guyana died due to cold conditions at a warehouse in Florida in December 2024.
In February 2025, two of 10 sloths travelling from Peru arrived dead, and the remaining eight later died due to "poor health issues", the report says.
Following the arrival of the sloths from Guyana, the warehouse had no water or electricity and was not ready to receive the animals, but it was too late to cancel the shipment, the report adds.
Space heaters were purchased as a solution, but they tripped a fuse and shut down, with the sloths in the cold building without heat for at least one night, it says.
In a statement on Friday, the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens said it had accepted 13 two-toed sloths, and local media has confirmed that the animals came from Sloth World.
Currently in quarantine, the sloths will become part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) and Species Survival Plans (SSPs) for their species.
Sloth World concept art
The zoo will assume ownership of the sloths, at least temporarily, and will continue its work with SSP coordinators to find homes for the animals at other AZA-accredited facilities when they are stable.
Richard Glover, the zoo's CEO, said the veterinary team is giving the sloths "the best possible chance to thrive and helping ensure a healthy, sustainable population of sloths for future generations".
The zoo has confirmed that the sloths have survived the first 48 hours in its care, with some sloths requiring more critical care.
