Florida Probe Finds 31 Sloths Died At Orlando Attraction Warehouse

Officials probing animal housing practices found 31 sloths dead at a warehouse linked to an Orlando attraction.

The scrutiny began after complaints about how some attractions store and move exotic animals, prompting state and local checks of offsite facilities. These reviews focused on for-profit operations that keep animals outside public viewing areas.

Inspections of the warehouse turned up dozens of bodies and spurred a formal probe into causes, care practices and recordkeeping. Authorities secured the site and began collecting evidence while veterinarians and investigators worked to establish a timeline for the deaths.

Investigators are reviewing health records, transport logs and environmental data to test hypotheses ranging from disease to neglect or accidental exposure. Possible outcomes include regulatory penalties, license actions or criminal charges if wrongdoing is found.

The discovery, described by officials as a shocking find, has sparked public outrage and calls for accountability. Investigators have not released a full cause of death, and the probe is ongoing as agencies determine how such a large loss occurred.