Central Florida Zoo Earns $10,000 for Sloth Care
The North American Veterinary Community awarded the zoo funds to support ongoing care for 13 rescued sloths.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Pet Health
The North American Veterinary Community awarded $10,000 to the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens to support the cost of ongoing sloth care. The zoo received 13 sloths from the failed Sloth World attraction, and 8 have survived rehabilitation.
Why it matters
At least 55 sloths died due to improper care at Sloth World, which never opened, leaving surviving animals in need of specialized treatment. The award helps offset the costs of the intensive, long-term care these animals require in Sanford.
The $10,000 award comes from the North American Veterinary Community, and 8 of the 13 sloths received on April 24 have survived rehabilitation. The remaining five sloths' outcomes are not specified in the available details.
The players
North American Veterinary Community
A professional organization of veterinarians that provides continuing education and community support for animal health practitioners across North America.
Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens
A zoo located in Sanford, Florida, known for its animal rescue and rehabilitation work and its botanical collections.
The details
Sloths arrived at the zoo severely cold, stressed, malnourished and with abnormal gastrointestinal issues after being stripped from their homes. Staff used full exams, repeated blood work, X-rays, heat lamps, fluid administration, deworming and IV catheters, and placed pool noodles on the animals to keep them from picking at IVs with their sharp toes.
Timeline
April 24: Central Florida Zoo received a donation of 13 surviving sloths.
September: Zoo officials discussed the rehabilitation at the annual meeting.
Six months later: Eight sloths were reported stable and doing well.
Roadmap
This rescue follows the collapse of Sloth World, an attraction that never opened and left at least 55 sloths dead from improper care. The Central Florida Zoo's rehabilitation of the survivors shows how regional facilities absorb the fallout from failed exotic animal businesses.
Residents of Sanford can see the zoo's animal rehabilitation work firsthand as the facility cares for its surviving sloths. The award helps keep specialized care running at a local institution that depends on community support.
The takeaway
Rescue care for exotic animals is expensive and slow, and the eight surviving sloths show that intensive treatment can work. Supporting accredited facilities helps ensure these animals get the specialized care they need.
Further reading
For related coverage, explore Pet Health in Sanford.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sanford Herald.
