A Sloth Exhibitor Shut Down by New York Wants a Florida Comeback—and Florida Licensed Him

Larry Wallach, an exotic animal exhibitor, is seeking to launch a new sloth encounter business in Florida following the shutdown of his operations in New York. New York courts ordered Wallach's commercial exotic animal business to cease operations, and federal regulators declined his application to exhibit animals. This move comes as Florida is addressing concerns over sloth deaths at another tourist attraction within the state. Wallach has reportedly obtained a Florida license for his new venture, despite his history. The New York shutdown was initiated in 2023, with court documents detailing violations related to animal welfare and public safety. Federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), had previously cited Wallach for non-compliance with the Animal Welfare Act. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) issued Wallach a license for his new business, "Sloth Encounters," on April 15, 2024, allowing him to exhibit animals. This decision has drawn scrutiny given the circumstances of his previous business closure and the ongoing issues with sloth welfare in Florida.