Two Costa Rica-based conservation organizations have played a pivotal role in exposing a major wildlife crisis in the United States. Their efforts have successfully shed light on “Sloth World Orlando,” a Florida facility linked to the tragic deaths of more than 50 sloths.

Thanks to the international advocacy of these groups, Florida state wildlife officials have officially announced a temporary suspension on all sloth imports while a formal investigation into the facility continues.

International Experts Step In

The policy shift comes after intense coordination on the ground. Rebecca Cliffe, founder of The Sloth Conservation Foundation (SloCo), and Sam Trull, representative of The Sloth Institute (TSI), traveled to Florida to meet directly with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

Beyond wildlife officials, the two specialists took their campaign to Orlando, meeting with:

• State lawmakers
• Local authorities
• Regional commissioners
• Key policymakers

Their goal was clear: to discuss the urgent need to strengthen legal protections and close regulatory loopholes that allow these delicate animals to be exploited.

“Florida is the epicenter of the American sloth trade. Approximately 98% of all sloths imported into the United States enter through Miami, making local state regulations a matter of global conservation importance.”

Who Are the Organizations Leading the Fight?

Both groups involved are powerhouse conservation factions operating right out of Costa Rica:

• The Sloth Conservation Foundation (SloCo): Founded in 2017, this organization focuses its efforts on habitat protection and community-based conservation strategies in the Caribbean province of Limón.
• The Sloth Institute (TSI): Based in Quepos, Puntarenas, this group specializes heavily in the physical rescue, veterinary rehabilitation, scientific research, and release of injured or orphaned sloths.

The Ultimate Goal: A National Ban

While the temporary import suspension in Florida is a massive victory, the Costa Rican organizations claim their work is far from finished.

Both SloCo and TSI have stated they will continue to apply pressure on international lawmakers. Their ultimate objective is to push for much stricter federal regulations, eventually paving the way for a total U.S. national ban on importing wild-caught sloths for commercial use or private ownership.

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