Photo: EZEQUIEL BECERRA / AFP / Getty Images
(Tallahassee, FL) - Sloth importers need a new permit in Florida.
According to Rep. Anna Eskamani, who obtained an FWC memo, sloth importation is no longer covered by Florida's "blanket import permits."
Now, any facility intending to house sloths will have to apply for a free "Wildlife Importation Permit," before importing sloths into Florida.
The FWC made the change after the deaths of more than 50 sloths intended for Sloth World, a now-defunct sloth attraction being built in Orange County.
Rep. Eskamani posted: "Obviously, our desire is for a permanent ban on the importation of wild-caught sloths and stricter ownership criteria, but those requirements would require FWC rule changes, which have to go through formal public comment and a Commission vote."
Eskamani calls the FWC change "a small but important win" for sloths.