ORLANDO, Fla. – People who want to bring sloths into Florida will have to file for a special permit under a new rule by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The new policy memo requires applicants to file for a single-use Wildlife Importation Permit before bringing the animals into the state. The applications have to be submitted at least two weeks before importation to give staff time to process.
Applicants have to specify the species and number of animals being brought in, and the permit can only be used for one importation event, the state says.
Before, sloths could be imported under what’s known as a blanket importation permit for Class III wildlife, which includes birds like parrots, small mammals like foxes and lemurs, many reptile species, and all amphibian species. It also allowed for the importation of the animals throughout the year.
[WATCH: Sloth World sloth Willow euthanized, Central Florida Zoo announces]
The new policy was created after dozens of sloths died in the care of a group planning to open the Sloth World attraction on International Drive in Orlando.
Some of the animals died during a winter cold snap, others of disease. Records show the animals were not being kept in proper habitat conditions.
The Central Florida Zoo took in more than a dozen Sloth World sloths back in April. Veterinarians said the animals were suffering from malnutrition and dehydration. Six of those sloths have died.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ordered a temporary ban on sloth importation last month, but that ban ends July 10.
The agency has also formed a task force to overhaul exotic animal permit rules.