Overview
- The Orange County Sheriff’s Office closed its criminal investigation on Aug. 19 after concluding the deaths of more than 50 imported sloths were the result of multiple health and environmental factors rather than intentional wrongdoing.
- Investigators reviewed facility logs, veterinary and diagnostic records, FWC inspection files and conducted more than 20 interviews with state and national experts as part of the three-month probe.
- Veterinary and pathology findings cited systemic disease and injuries across respiratory, gastrointestinal, nutritional and metabolic systems consistent with stress from capture, long-distance transport, poor acclimation and specialized dietary needs.
- Florida regulators have reclassified sloths to require a Wildlife Importation Permit because earlier Class III rules did not force immediate death reporting or detailed import declarations.
- Lawmakers and advocates, led by Rep. Anna Eskamani, say the case exposes gaps in Florida’s captive-wildlife rules and are pushing for new statutes and clearer standards for importing and housing exotic species while surviving sloths remain under care at the Central Florida Zoo.