Washington, D.C. – Lawmakers introduced a bipartisan measure on October 20 to halt most imports of wild sloths into the United States. The move follows the deaths of 58 out of roughly 69 sloths brought to a Florida tourist site known as Sloth World. The timing coincided with International Sloth Day and reflects months of scrutiny over how the animals were handled after arrival.
The Scale of the Losses at Sloth World
The Florida attraction received the large shipment of sloths in the period leading up to the reported deaths. Nearly all of the imported animals perished, leaving only a small number alive. The episode drew immediate attention from local residents and animal welfare groups who questioned the conditions at the facility. ([1])
Officials and advocates described the outcome as preventable. The high mortality rate stood out even against broader patterns of sloth trade documented in federal records. Those records showed more than 1,100 sloths entered the country between 2011 and 2021, averaging over 100 animals each year.
Details of the Proposed SLOTHS Act
The bill, formally titled the Stopping Legalized Organized Trafficking and Harm to Sloths Act, would prohibit imports of live wild sloths except in narrow cases. Accredited zoos and aquariums could still bring in animals for approved breeding programs. Dead specimens would remain available for scientific research under the same framework.
Violations would carry civil penalties reaching $100,000. Sponsors emphasized that the legislation targets commercial wildlife tourism rather than legitimate conservation work. The measure was introduced by Representative Maxwell Alejandro Frost, a Florida Democrat, with Republican Representative Laurel Lee as co-sponsor.
Advocacy Behind the Legislation
Two Costa Rica-based organizations, the Sloth Conservation Foundation and the Sloth Institute, supplied key data that helped shape the bill. Their review of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service trade documents revealed the steady volume of imports over the prior decade. Sam Trull, co-founder and executive director of the Sloth Institute, noted that the Florida case represented an extreme example but not an isolated one.
The groups argued that repeated large-scale shipments had placed unnecessary stress on the animals. They pressed Congress to close what they viewed as a regulatory gap that allowed commercial operators to import sloths without sufficient oversight. The resulting legislation reflects that input while preserving limited pathways for scientific and breeding purposes.
Next Steps for the Measure
The bill now moves through the legislative process in both chambers. Supporters expect hearings that will examine trade records and facility standards in greater detail. If enacted, the restrictions would mark a significant shift in how the United States regulates live sloth imports for non-accredited venues.
Advocates continue to monitor similar operations elsewhere in the country. They say the Florida deaths underscored the need for tighter controls on wildlife tourism that relies on imported animals. The outcome of the SLOTHS Act will determine whether those controls become permanent.
