Florida wildlife officials temporarily ban sloth imports after fatal infections killed dozens of animals at a now-closed planned Orlando attraction, Sloth World.

The task force commitment came after state Rep. Anna Eskamani (D-Orlando) met with FWC officials, The Sloth Institute, and the Sloth Conservation Foundation. Eskamani said the agency has agreed to pursue rulemaking changes before the end of the year.

A Florida Fish and Wildlife report reveals claims that 31 sloths died after being imported to an Orlando facility from South America.

The temporary import pause and permit review on sloth imports could lead to tighter oversight of exotic animal facilities in Florida, particularly as state leaders weigh whether current rules are sufficient to protect animal welfare.

Florida wildlife officials are stopping the importation of all sloths into the state in the wake of the deaths of dozens of sloths meant for an Orlando attraction.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Wednesday issued a temporary ban on importing sloths into the state, following public outcry that arose over dozens of animal deaths connected to Sloth World.

And because sloths have among the slowest metabolisms ever recorded in animals, the climb down the tree and back up represents one of the biggest energy expenditures of their entire week. “It’s like if I had to go on a 5K run down the middle of an interstate,