MARGATE, Fla. (CBS12) — As Florida authorities continue investigating the deaths of dozens of sloths tied to Sloth World in Orlando, a new sloth encounter is preparing to open in South Florida — raising fresh questions about oversight of the growing exotic animal industry.
Exotic animal exhibitor Larry Wallach has filed paperwork to open Wildlife Adventures in Margate, a business where customers can interact with sloths, kangaroos, reptiles, and birds, according to a report by Inside Climate News.
The proposal comes weeks after Sloth World filed for bankruptcy following the deaths of 31 sloths — which has now climbed to well over 50 sloths — before the attraction ever opened. Many of the animals died after being housed in an off-site warehouse that lacked permanent electricity and running water, according to previous reports…