Central Florida Zoo says Habanero, one of the former Sloth World sloths in its care, died Saturday evening after his condition rapidly worsened.
According to the zoo, Habanero was one of the animals identified as especially vulnerable when 13 sloths were taken in from the failed Orlando attraction. Staff said he showed some early signs of progress after treatment, but his condition began deteriorating Thursday afternoon. The zoo said the decision was made Saturday to proceed with humane euthanasia. It also said two more sloths are now in guarded condition.
Habanero’s death comes as the legal pressure around Sloth World is no longer just coming from critics and lawmakers. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said Friday that his office is assisting the Ninth Judicial Circuit with an “ongoing criminal investigation” into Sloth World Orlando. That response came after State Rep. Anna Eskamani formally asked the Attorney General’s Office to investigate whether the operators violated Florida animal cruelty and captive wildlife laws…