By Jim Carchidi
September 12, 2026
Florida leaders are considering new exotic animal regulations stemming from the deaths of more than 50 sloths at the former Sloth World attraction on International Drive. But some advocates believe the changes don’t go far enough.
What could change
Images courtesy of Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
Statewide amendments to the sloth permitting process were proposed last week by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and would include the following:
- Documented proof of no less than 1,000 hours of experience in the care and feeding of sloths.
- Cages deemed satisfactory by FWC prior to permitting.
- At least one qualified caretaker required at commercial facilities housing sloths.
- An increase in the minimum age for sloth ownership, from 16 to 18.
The changes are aimed at preventing the kind of oversights and inadequate conditions that led to the Sloth World deaths. Animals were found to be malnourished and 21 died in December 2024 when space heaters failed to control dropping temperatures in a storage unit, used as a quarantine facility. An Orange County Sheriff’s Office investigation of Sloth World found no basis for criminal charges, but noted numerous conditions which affected the health of the animals.
FWC temporarily banned sloth imports after the deaths were reported, and Orange County commissioners agreed in August to explore local regulations on exotic wildlife attractions.
Is it enough?
Under the FWC proposal, sloths would keep their current designation as Class III wildlife: a category which requires minimal oversight and does not require owners to report animal deaths. And the new rules would not be retroactive for any currently permitted owner of a sloth.
The proposal has been criticized by conservationists as not going far enough to protect the species. The Sloth Conservation Foundation is advocating for the prohibition of wild-caught sloth imports, and to limit sloth interactions with humans to avoid stress. The foundation also wants established veterinary care to be required wherever sloths are housed.
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens has been working since April to rehabilitate the surviving animals from the Sloth World attraction. Zoo CEO Richard Glover previously updated The Orlando Real on the care and recovery process. He also submitted an Aug. 30 editorial to The Orlando Sentinel that was republished on the zoo website. Glover says the Sloth World deaths occurred “because of a flawed system that allowed Sloth World’s owners to continue to import a vulnerable and delicate species they did not have the knowledge to care for properly.”
While Glover's editorial was posted prior to the release of the new FWC proposal, it calls for stricter regulations that include reevaluating the Class III designation to provide better protection for sloths. Glover could not be reached for additional comment.
What’s next
FWC commissioners will discuss the proposed statewide regulation changes in December. An Orange County representative told The Orlando Real there is currently no discussion of local regulations scheduled for the next Board of County Commissioners meeting. The issue of exotic animal regulation at the county level could come up later in the fall.
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About the Author
Jim Carchidi is an Orlando journalist and photographer with previous work at the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Business Journal. He covers development, arts, culture, and local stories for The Orlando Real.
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