Charge Sloth World's Owner With Animal Cruelty to the Fullest Extent of Florida Law
Charge Sloth World's Owner With Animal Cruelty to the Fullest Extent of Florida Law
The Issue
At least 32 sloths are dead. One more — a young two-toed sloth named Bandit — died after rescue, despite round-the-clock veterinary care. Sloth World has filed for bankruptcy. And still, no charges have been filed.
That has to change.
State records confirm that Sloth World imported wild-caught sloths from South America in two separate shipments, housing them in an off-site warehouse that lacked permanent electricity and running water. When the first group arrived, temporary heating failed overnight. Twenty-one sloths died from cold exposure. A second shipment arrived weeks later with multiple animals already dead or critically ill. The 13 survivors were removed in late April and transferred to the Central Florida Zoo, where they arrived dehydrated, underweight, and in critical condition. Bandit didn't make it.
This was not an accident. These were preventable deaths caused by negligence — and the person responsible has not been held accountable.
On May 1, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier confirmed in a letter to State Rep. Anna Eskamani that a criminal investigation is now underway. Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Lauryn Day, an animal welfare law expert, has been assigned to assist the Ninth Judicial Circuit. Charging authority — including potential charges under Florida's animal cruelty statute — rests with Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Monique Worrell.
"Our office is unwavering in its commitment to pursuing justice on behalf of those who are unable to protect themselves," Uthmeier wrote.
We are calling on State Attorney Monique Worrell to act on that commitment — and prosecute Sloth World's owner to the fullest extent of Florida law. A bankruptcy filing should not be a shield from criminal accountability. Thirty-two animals suffered and died. The surviving sloths will spend the rest of their lives in captivity — sloths can live more than 50 years — because of decisions made by one person in pursuit of profit.
Sign this petition to demand that the Florida legal system delivers the justice these animals deserve.
247
The Issue
At least 32 sloths are dead. One more — a young two-toed sloth named Bandit — died after rescue, despite round-the-clock veterinary care. Sloth World has filed for bankruptcy. And still, no charges have been filed.
That has to change.
State records confirm that Sloth World imported wild-caught sloths from South America in two separate shipments, housing them in an off-site warehouse that lacked permanent electricity and running water. When the first group arrived, temporary heating failed overnight. Twenty-one sloths died from cold exposure. A second shipment arrived weeks later with multiple animals already dead or critically ill. The 13 survivors were removed in late April and transferred to the Central Florida Zoo, where they arrived dehydrated, underweight, and in critical condition. Bandit didn't make it.
This was not an accident. These were preventable deaths caused by negligence — and the person responsible has not been held accountable.
On May 1, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier confirmed in a letter to State Rep. Anna Eskamani that a criminal investigation is now underway. Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Lauryn Day, an animal welfare law expert, has been assigned to assist the Ninth Judicial Circuit. Charging authority — including potential charges under Florida's animal cruelty statute — rests with Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Monique Worrell.
"Our office is unwavering in its commitment to pursuing justice on behalf of those who are unable to protect themselves," Uthmeier wrote.
We are calling on State Attorney Monique Worrell to act on that commitment — and prosecute Sloth World's owner to the fullest extent of Florida law. A bankruptcy filing should not be a shield from criminal accountability. Thirty-two animals suffered and died. The surviving sloths will spend the rest of their lives in captivity — sloths can live more than 50 years — because of decisions made by one person in pursuit of profit.
Sign this petition to demand that the Florida legal system delivers the justice these animals deserve.
247
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on May 1, 2026