Orlando, Florida – Dozens of sloths imported from South America died in an unheated Florida warehouse where they were being held before going to the still unopened Sloth World attraction in Orlando. The ill-fated sloths were plucked from their homes in Guyana and flown to Orlando; there 21 died in a cold warehouse that lacked electricity. Ten more sloths were flown up from Peru, but two were dead on arrival and the remaining were emaciated and died shortly thereafter.
As reported by Orlando Weekly, an extension cord meant to power the facility was drawing power from another building, but the space heaters intended to warm the warehouse repeatedly tripped the circuit, cutting power and leaving the sloths without warmth. A Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Incident Report also cites problems with the cages for the sloths – read more here.
Conditions at the holding facility have supposedly improved, but there are other issues that continue to plague the sloths who are being removed from their native habitat. According to Orlando Weekly, a deadly virus has been spreading through the holding warehouse, and little is known about an effective treatment.
Sloth World still isn’t open and it is unclear if they will actually open their doors in light of the deadly problems that have plagued the attraction.
independent investigations and reporting.
