Youngest sloth required hand-feeding, incubator support and
constant monitoring during treatment efforts
SANFORD, Fla. (May 15, 2026) – The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens is saddened to announce the passing of Mr. Ginger, a young sloth who was part of a group of 13 sloths donated to the Zoo from Sloth World on April 24. Over the past few days, his condition worsened. When it became clear he was not improving, we made the decision to humanely euthanize him.
Mr. Ginger was the youngest of the sloths brought to the Zoo and estimated to have been 4 to 6 months old. Due to the sloth’s fragile condition upon arrival, Mr. Ginger required intensive care from the Zoo’s veterinary and animal care teams. Mr. Ginger was hand-fed every few hours and spent much of his time cared for in an incubator to help regulate body temperature, as staff worked continually to give him the best possible chance at survival.
“We are heartbroken by the loss of Mr. Ginger,” said CEO Richard Glover. “From the moment Mr. Ginger arrived, our animal care and veterinary teams dedicated countless hours to providing intensive and specialized care. Mr. Ginger’s condition was extremely fragile, but our staff remained committed to giving Mr. Ginger every opportunity possible.”
Mr. Ginger was among several sloths that arrived at the Zoo in poor condition. At this time, the Zoo is continuing to care for the remaining sloths while monitoring their health closely. The sloths are currently undergoing a quarantine period, a critical protocol designed to protect both the incoming animals and the Zoo’s existing animal population while allowing veterinary teams to assess and provide medical treatment. They are expected to remain in quarantine for the near future.
The Zoo’s veterinary and animal care teams remain focused on providing ongoing treatment and support for the surviving sloths.
For more information, visit https://www.centralfloridazoo.org/sloths-at-the-central-florida-zoo/.
For those who would like to donate to the Zoo’s efforts, click here. The Zoo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and donations help continue to provide the best care possible for these sloths in need.
Visuals: For photos and videos, click here.
