Dustin and Sammy the Sloths

Dustin, 23, and Sammy, 20, both two-toed sloths, died recently at the Brevard Zoo in Melbourne, Florida. This news comes as tens of sloths have reportedly died at Sloth World in nearby Orlando.

Sloths are massively exploited by the zoo and wildlife tourism industries. Due to their generally gentle demeanor and facial markings that give the impression they’re smiling, sloths have become popular fixtures in “encounters” where people pay to hold or interact with them. But interactions are very stressful and extremely frightening for sloths. Research has found that when sloths are handled, they are more vigilant, sleep less, and behave abnormally.

Dustin was a victim of the wildlife trade, coming to the Brevard Zoo in 2006 after being kept as a “pet.” He had numerous long-term health issues upon his arrival and during his time at the zoo. While his partner Sammy had better health, she was unexpectedly found dead in her habitat.

Though no wild animals should be kept captive for human enjoyment, sloths are particularly poorly suited to being exhibited. They’re shy and nocturnal, sleeping between 15 and 18 hours a day. A sloth’s blood pressure can even rise simply from being near people. At noisy zoos, their natural routine is continually disrupted. Additionally, natural sloth diets are difficult to replicate in captivity, and the Brevard Zoo noted that this is an issue many organizations face, as their captive sloths experience health issues and premature death. Yet, sloths continue to be held captive and bred in zoos.

World Animal Protection urges everyone who loves sloths to avoid zoos and enjoy them in the wild or at accredited sanctuaries where visitor interactions are prohibited.