Central Florida Zoo euthanizes Willow, fifth Sloth World sloth to die

Willow’s decline forced the Central Florida Zoo in Sanford into another hard decision: humane euthanasia after her health sharply worsened over several days, following weeks of steady deterioration. Her death made her the fifth ailing sloth from the Sloth World group to die at the zoo, even as eight others remained in quarantine and under treatment.

Zoo officials had taken in 13 two-toed sloths on April 24 after Sloth World Orlando, a planned International Drive attraction that never opened, donated the animals. At the time, the zoo said it had decades of experience raising sloths and would give them “the best chance to survive.” That promise has been tested by a run of losses that began almost immediately after the animals arrived in Sanford.

Bandit died on April 30, and Habanero died after being received by the zoo on April 24. By May 18, Chewie and Dolce had recovered enough to be removed from intensive care. The remaining sloths in care were Chewie, Dolce, Phantom, Blackberry, Hazel, Leeloo, Mojo Jojo and Pearl, all still being watched closely in quarantine as staff worked to keep stress low and continue treatment.

Willow’s death is the latest sign that the crisis surrounding Sloth World reached the zoo only after a much larger collapse elsewhere. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission records tied 31 sloth deaths in 2024 and 2025 to Sloth World’s care, with causes listed as “cold stun” or “poor health.” Later records from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services brought the known death toll to 55. The Sloth Institute and the Sloth Conservation Foundation said Sloth World had imported at least 69 wild-caught sloths for a proposed Slotharium exhibit.

State leaders have also stepped up scrutiny. Florida officials said the Attorney General’s office is assisting in an ongoing criminal investigation into Sloth World, adding a legal layer to a case that is already raising questions about animal oversight, transport and intervention. For the Central Florida Zoo, Willow’s death leaves a smaller group of survivors under intensive care and a broader accountability story still unfolding far from Sanford.