Central Florida Zoo Confirms Death of Sloth Rescued From Deadly Local Attraction
The Sloth World Orlando story has been getting worse with every new development, and this week brought the most heartbreaking update yet. One of the 13 sloths rescued from Sloth World’s possession and transferred to the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens has died. His name was Bandit, and he was three months old.
What Happened to Bandit the Sloth
Bandit arrived at the Central Florida Zoo as part of the group of 13 sloths donated to the facility after being removed from Sloth World. Zoo veterinarians raised concerns about the condition of the animals within four days of their arrival, with most showing signs of dehydration and malnutrition. Bandit was identified as among the most vulnerable from the start given his age and the severity of his condition upon arrival.
He showed some signs of improvement during his time in quarantine before taking a sudden turn for the worse. Veterinarians made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize him. The Central Florida Zoo confirmed the loss and stated the team had done everything possible to give Bandit the best chance at survival and ensure he was comfortable in his final days.
The remaining 12 sloths are currently in stable condition. The zoo’s full focus has shifted to ensuring those animals continue to recover, and the Central Florida Zoo is accepting public donations to help cover the cost of their ongoing rehabilitation.
What the Founder Said and What a Former Employee Says
Sloth World founder Ben Agresta disputed the characterization of what caused the deaths of the 31 sloths documented in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission report, attributing them to an unknown foreign-born virus and denying wrongdoing. A former Sloth World employee directly contradicted that account, saying there were no viruses and attributing the deaths to poor conditions and the owner’s failure to properly care for the animals and maintain the property.
The former employee also said the company’s priorities during its buildup were misaligned, with the founder focused on selling merchandise and pre-sale tickets rather than on the welfare of the animals. The same employee said he raised concerns about the animals’ wellbeing internally while the project continued moving forward.
Where the Sloth Investigation Stands
The broader Sloth World situation has been escalating for months. The FWC inspection report from August 2025 documented 31 sloth deaths connected to the operation. Animals died after arriving at a warehouse that lacked water and electricity. Orange County issued a stop-work order after finding the International Drive warehouse lacked the required permits to house animals. While also lacking proper occupancy approvals. Florida State Representative Anna Eskamani has been publicly demanding accountability, revealing that Sloth World holds an expired permit and pushing federal agencies to get involved. She also surfaced a significant regulatory gap, noting that FWC permits do not require notification when an animal dies.
Sloth World has never opened to the public. Its website has been reduced to a placeholder page, and the attraction’s social media accounts have gone blank. The founder has not issued a public statement regarding the latest developments.
Bandit was three months old. He arrived at the Central Florida Zoo in critical condition after time in Sloth World’s possession, but he did not survive. The 12 animals who remain at the zoo are stable and receiving care. The Central Florida Zoo’s donations page is accepting contributions for its, rehabilitation. The investigation continues. Along with the accumulation of consequences for an attraction that has never opened its doors. Sloth World has now left a trail of animal deaths that is only growing longer.
