Shocking discovery in Florida warehouse leaves officials searching for what went wrong

A disturbing find successful a warehouse successful Orlando, Florida, has officials and others searching for answers.

As Sloth World Orlando prepares to unfastened a 7,500-square-foot, cage-free rainforest for sloths, reports surfaced that astatine slightest 31 sloths person been recovered dormant nether the venue's care, according to reports by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

More than 2 twelve sloths perished successful a warehouse astir 2 minutes from the Sloth World Orlando determination betwixt December 2024 and February 2025, the FWC said, arsenic Fox35 reported.  

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Under Florida statutes, Sloth World had nary work to study the deaths. However, during a regular and unannounced inspection successful August 2025, the FWC investigators inquired astir erstwhile sloth deaths, according to Fox35.

The FWC study recovered that 21 sloths died soon aft arriving successful December 2024. An further 10 sloths, shipped from Peru successful February 2025, besides died.

As Sloth World Orlando prepares to open, disturbing questions are surfacing. (iStock)

The FWC believes that the sloths that arrived successful December died from "cold stun."

A erstwhile co-owner told FWC the warehouse was not acceptable for the incoming sloths — but that it was excessively precocious to cancel the shipment, Fox35 reported.

The erstwhile co-owner claimed the gathering did not person moving h2o oregon energy for a play of time.

Space heaters were purchased and powered with an hold cord from a adjacent building, the erstwhile co-owner alleged.

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At immoderate point, the fuse tripped, leaving the sloths with nary vigor for astatine slightest 1 night, according to the report.

The study besides noted that the coldest recorded somesthesia was 46 degrees connected Dec. 22.

Two sloths were dormant connected accomplishment successful the February 2025 shipment from Peru. The remaining 8 sloths "appeared emaciated and successful precise mediocre health" — and aboriginal died, according to the report.

Two sloths (not pictured) were dormant connected accomplishment successful the February 2025 shipment, according to a shocking study by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. (iStock)

Fox35 reported that it reached retired to the existent owner, who vehemently denied the allegations.

"Recently, our installation has been managing a hard concern involving a overseas virus," helium told Fox35.

"We person worked tirelessly alongside our veterinarian, the Florida Department of Agriculture and different extracurricular experts to successfully place the microorganism and code it."

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"We are alert of rumors specified arsenic claiming that our sloths were 'cold-stunned' oregon near without h2o and electricity. These claims are wholly false," the proprietor continued.

"We stay profoundly committed to the continued care, information and wellness of our sloth population."

"The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) conducted a thorough inspection of our installation conscionable past week, recovered perfectly nary wrongdoings and afloat renewed our license," helium added.

FWC did not contented ceremonial violations, noting nary "intentional malconduct," but gave a verbal informing regarding cage sizes.

Sloth World Orlando, a planned "slotharium" connected International Drive, was primitively slated to unfastened successful March 2026, positioning itself arsenic a first-of-its-kind, conservation-focused attraction featuring dozens of sloths.

Sloth World Orlando was primitively slated to unfastened successful March 2026. It was positioning itself arsenic a first-of-its-kind, conservation-focused attraction. (iStock)

The task has faced delays and is present expected to unfastened aboriginal successful 2026, with the timeline shifting arsenic the installation works done operational challenges.

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Investigators cited factors specified arsenic acold exposure, transport accent and mediocre wellness connected arrival, portion the institution disputes claims of inadequate conditions.

Despite the controversy, the attraction is continuing to determination forward, though it remains nether adjacent nationalist scrutiny.

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"We person ever prioritized the wellness and well-being of our animals, investing millions into their attraction and habitats," the existent proprietor said, according to Fox35.

"We stay profoundly committed to the continued care, information and wellness of our sloth population."

Kelly McGreal of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.