SANFORD, Fla. — More grief and heartache at the Central Florida Zoo in Sanford after the death of a third sloth is sparking calls from Florida leaders for accountability and reform.
State Rep. Anna Eskamani held a press conference Wednesday following another sloth death tied to Sloth World in Orlando. That latest loss now brings the total number of known sloth deaths connected to the facility to 55.
“Dumpling” is the third sloth to die in just days at the facility.
“Each time we lose one, it’s just a reminder how delicate they are and how ill some of them are,” said Central Florida Zoo CEO Richard Glover.
Dumpling was one of 13 sloths surrendered by Sloth World Orlando before it even opened. Zoo officials said Dumpling was among four animals that required intensive care.
“It was the one that had chronic diarrhea, that we have not been able to do anything about of the ones that are still with us,” Glover said.
Inside the zoo, staff members are now working around the clock to keep the remaining 10 sloths alive.
But what they are finding is devastating.
“It’s so disheartening for us because these animals ... they’ve been fed the wrong things,” Glover said.
Investigators say the sloths were given improper diets for an extended period. Testing has revealed serious health issues.
“We’ve seen the same reports saying they got brown rice. What we see is we’re testing their blood and we’re seeing levels — really low potassium levels, really low for other minerals that should be in their body that aren’t,” Glover said.
Now, the focus is shifting to accountability, but it remains unclear who will ultimately lead the investigation.
The Florida Attorney General’s Office confirmed a criminal investigation is underway with Attorney General James Uthmeier assisting as officials look into what happened.
Eskamani also called for action during her press conference.
For these animals, time is running out.
“We are still hopeful that the remaining 10 will survive,” Glover said.
The Sloth Conservation Foundation is pushing to ban imports of wild-caught sloths into the United States. PETA has also announced a lawsuit.
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