Budget conference: Central Florida Zoo could get $750,000 as it cares for Sloth World survivors

The zoo has stepped up to care for the surviving animals from Sloth World.

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The Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens received some good news in the latest budget, offering hope during a tough period.

The Sanford-based zoo may get $750,000 to update several exhibits and other areas as part of its 50th-anniversary celebration.

According to the funding requests submitted by Rep. Rachel Plakon and Sen. Jason Brodeur, both Lake Mary Republicans, money would “provide a better guest experience and ensure continued accreditation by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums.”

The animal exhibits that could be improved include the giraffe, rhino, bear, clouded leopard, alligator and crocodile, bald eagle, river otter, peccary, sloth, guenons, lemurs, and aviaries. The funding would also cover renovated bathrooms, new trash cans, signs, splash ground area, pavilion, gardens, sanitary system upgrades, a shade structure, backup generators, and a staff shower, according to the funding request.

Lawmakers ended their budget talks late Sunday as the Legislature tried to pass a budget in a Special Session after missing the deadline during the 60-day Regular Session. Gov. Ron DeSantis can veto individual items, so no project is final until he signs the budget.

The state funding comes as the zoo has stepped in to help during the Sloth World tragedy, where more than 50 sloths have died.

Thirteen sloths were donated to the zoo last month. Some were in such poor condition that the zoo had to euthanize them, according to zoo officials.

U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost and Rep. Anna Eskamani are calling for rule changes after dozens of animals died when they were shipped from their home and brought to Orlando for a tourist attraction on International Drive. Sloth World never opened, and its owner is reportedly planning to file for bankruptcy.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is temporarily halting all sloth imports to Florida for 60 days, prompting animal advocates to celebrate.

Orange County Sheriff’s Office is criminally investigating, Eskamani said.

The zoo is continuing to care for the sloths, which cost up to $1,500 to $2,000 a day, a zoo spokesperson told Florida Politics.

People have been organizing fundraisers to help the zoo with this unexpected expense, and the zoo is accepting donations. Central Florida Zoo CEO Richard Glover said the financial support and messages from around the world mean a lot.

“That’s the kind of thing that really helps prop the team up and know that look, we’re doing something that’s really important, not just to us and these animals, but to a whole lot of people,” Glover told Florida Politics last month.