Florida lawmakers propose federal sloth import ban

Florida Reps. Maxwell Frost, a Democrat, and Laurel Lee, a Republican, have proposed the SLOTHS Act, which would ban importing wild sloths into the United States after more than 50 sloth deaths were linked to Orlando’s failed Sloth World attraction. The bill would allow limited exceptions for documented research and conservation breeding at accredited institutions. Violations could bring civil penalties of up to $20,000; knowing violations could lead to criminal fines of up to $100,000, loss of federal permits and forfeiture of illegally imported sloths. The proposal follows the expiration of a temporary Florida import restriction, as state wildlife officials consider separate rules for sloth ownership.