ORLANDO, Fla. — Another sloth transferred to the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens died Tuesday, marking the third sloth death in the nearly two weeks since the calamitous closure of Sloth World, a planned attraction on International Drive.

Called Dumpling, the adult sloth arrived at the zoo April 24, one of 13 sloths sent to there following revelations of animal deaths at Sloth World ahead of its expected opening.

The zoo announced in a statement that Dumpling’s death was attributed to continued “digestion and gastrointestinal issues” suffered in the 11 days since the sloth arrived. It wasn’t until Monday morning that Dumpling’s health suddenly declined.

“This has been an incredibly difficult week for our team, as everyone involved in caring for these animals can attest,” the zoo’s statement read. “… Dumpling’s death reflects that this is a day by day situation here for the remaining sloths in our care. Thank you for your continued support.”

Sloth World transferred ownership of the 13 sloths to the zoo on April 24, where they have been under veterinary care ever since. That day, conservation groups announced Sloth World would not open.

The planned International Drive attraction came under fire after state reports of 31 sloth deaths in a warehouse facility more than a year ago.

At the zoo, the animals are currently in a 30-day quarantine before the next steps for their care are determined.

Dumpling’s death follows that of two other sloths who died in recent days: Bandit, who died Wednesday and was the first to die of the animals transferred to the facility in Sanford, and Habanero, who was euthanized Saturday.

Many of the sloths arrived at the zoo in poor condition, with their health problems compounded by a metabolism that make extreme illnesses difficult to detect before it’s too late.

Sloth World was an anticipated attraction in the I-Drive corridor that promised to fund conservation efforts while exhibiting the animals in its care. But a bombshell exposé by Inside Climate News detailed how 31 sloths died at its facilities. After that, its owner, Ben Agresta, said it would not be open to the public, the conservation groups said.

Inspection reports by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission showed 21 sloths imported from Guyana — accustomed to a warm, tropical climate — languished and died inside a cold warehouse in December 2024 after space heaters inside the facility malfunctioned with no one there to fix it. Another 10 sloths imported from Peru also died, with two found dead on arrival while the rest succumbed to illness.

At the time, FWC did not recommend criminal charges against Sloth World’s owners, instead issuing a verbal warning over the size and markings of the cages housing the sloths, problems that were later rectified, the reports said.

Agresta denied the deaths of the 21 sloths were from a “cold stun,” pointing instead to viral infections as the cause, Inside Climate News reported.

The uproar against Sloth World, which is expected to file for bankruptcy, was immediate, with lawmakers and animal rights groups calling for a criminal investigation. On Friday, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, in a letter responding to state Rep. Anna Eskamani, confirmed the Orange-Osceola State Attorney’s Office was exploring the possibility of criminal charges with help from a statewide prosecutor with experience in animal welfare law.

Eskamani, who initially urged Uthmeier to consider a criminal case, is expected to speak to reporters alongside representatives of the Sloth Institute and the Sloth Conservation Fund, two groups that have closely monitored Sloth World’s practices.

As of Tuesday, court records show the company has yet to file for bankruptcy.

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