An animal import warehouse in Orlando, Florida, operating under the name Sanctuary World Imports, became the scene of a tragic incident where nearly 30 wild sloths lost their lives between December 2024 and February 2025, as revealed in a Florida wildlife authority inspection report published by AP.
The report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, compiled in August 2025, found that 21 sloths brought in from Guyana died in December 2024 due to warehouse temperatures plummeting to between 40 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sloths, unlike many other mammals, struggle to regulate their body temperature and require an environment between 68 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit for survival, according to the United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
Peter Bandre, identified as the license holder of the facility, admitted that the building "lacked water and electricity and was not prepared to receive the animals, but it was too late to cancel the shipment."
In a desperate attempt to combat the cold, the facility procured portable heaters, but these overloaded a circuit and failed, leaving the sloths without warmth for at least one night.
Bandre referred to the fatalities as a "cold shock," describing the physiological collapse of the animals due to the frigid temperatures.
Later, the same company ordered 10 additional sloths from Peru in February 2025. Two arrived deceased, and the remaining eight were emaciated and succumbed to what the state report termed "poor health conditions."
Among the documented cases in the necropsy reports was Kiwi, a nine-month-old sloth found swollen but weighing less than three pounds at the time of death.
Bandre mentioned plans to hire a new veterinarian, the facility's third, according to the state report.
A company spokesperson attributed the sloths' deaths to "the intense physiological stress of international transit, dietary changes, and wild capture, which likely suppressed their immune systems."
Despite the severe discrepancies noted, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission did not levy fines or legal citations, as they found no intentional wrongdoing, leading to criticism from animal protection organizations.
During follow-up inspections in March 2026, company president Benjamin Agresta informed inspectors that the business had been renamed Sloth World Inc., and Bandre was no longer associated with the operation.
The March inspections confirmed that the facility housing the deceased Guyana sloths had since been equipped with independent heating and air conditioning, maintaining a constant temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit, with no observed issues among the animals currently housed there.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services stated they are "working with Sloth World to investigate and address ongoing facility issues," while government permit records indicate the company acquired at least 38 additional wild sloths beyond the 31 that perished in their care.
Understanding the Tragic Sloth Deaths in Florida
Why did nearly 30 sloths die in a Florida warehouse?
The sloths died due to inadequate temperature regulation in the warehouse, which fell to dangerously low levels because the facility lacked water and electricity.
What actions were taken after the sloth deaths?
The facility was later equipped with independent heating and cooling systems, and the business was renamed Sloth World Inc. The management also planned to hire a new veterinarian.
Were there any legal repercussions for the facility?
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission did not impose fines or legal citations, as they determined there was no intentional wrongdoing.