International Drive in Orlando is one of the most recognizable tourist corridors in the world. It is located near Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort, attracting millions of visitors to its hotels, restaurants, and attractions every year. The high standards for this area are not accidental; they are a result of market demands and the long-standing reputations built by major players in the region. Smaller businesses benefit simply from being located nearby.
However, the situation surrounding Sloth World, a planned attraction on International Drive that has yet to open to the public, is particularly concerning. Thirty-one sloths have died at a facility associated with this operation. A Florida politician is now publicly calling for the attraction to remain closed, and the regulatory gaps that permitted this are finally receiving the scrutiny they should have long before this issue came to light.
The Deaths
A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission inspection report dated August 7, 2025, documented an unannounced visit to a warehouse located at 7547 International Drive, operated by Sanctuary World Imports. The warehouse was being used to receive and acclimate imported sloths before transferring them to the Sloth World location at 6582 International Drive for a permanent public exhibit.
The report outlines an inquiry into the deaths of 31 sloths between December 2024 and February 2025. Owner Peter Bandre reported that 21 sloths from Guyana died after arriving at a warehouse lacking water and electricity, where malfunctioning space heaters failed to provide warmth. Additionally, ten sloths from Peru were in poor condition; two were dead on arrival, and the remaining eight died shortly after. Sloth World has not responded to media inquiries, and its former public relations firm has ceased representing the business, directing reporters to an unanswered general contact email.
The Political Pressure
Florida State Representative Anna Eskamani publicly addressed the inspection report on Instagram, stating she would contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and calling it unacceptable that the documented conduct had not led to criminal charges. In a follow-up update, she confirmed that she had spoken with the FWC's Legislative Liaison and was trying to reach the investigator handling the case. Eskamani highlighted a significant gap in FWC regulations: permits do not require notification to regulators when an animal dies. Anna stressed the importance of closing this gap immediately and noted that, without concerned citizens reporting the deaths, it remains uncertain when the FWC would have discovered them.
She confirmed that Sloth World currently holds an expired permit and stated it should stay that way regardless of the operation's efforts to renew it. The Florida Rep also confirmed that the attraction is still in possession of sloths despite the expired permit. It said she would contact federal agencies, in addition to the FWC, to pursue the matter further.
An Orlando Attraction That Has Never Served a Guest
Sloth World in Orlando has faced significant delays in its opening, with an unchanged website and social media posts that seem AI-generated. Its location on International Drive has been vacant for a long time and previously housed another failed attraction, Cool Zoo. This situation raises concerns about the oversight of animal-based attractions in Florida, especially if the FWC does not require notification of animal deaths in permitted facilities. The issues surrounding Sloth World highlight a broader regulatory framework problem that needs to be addressed.
Thirty-one sloths died. The attraction has never opened. The permit is expired. A state representative is actively pushing to ensure it stays that way and is now looping in federal agencies. Whatever Sloth World was intended to be when it was announced, this is what it has become before a single guest ever walked through the door.
