Peter A. Bandré, founder of the Sea Turtle Preservation Society and president of Incredible Pets Inc. on North Wickham Road, has been named in a Florida Attorney General criminal investigation and a PETA cruelty complaint tied to the deaths of up to 52 sloths at Sloth World Inc. The now-bankrupt Orlando attraction, located in a parking lot near a karaoke bar, is the focus of an ongoing probe by the Ninth Judicial Circuit with assistance from Attorney General James Uthmeier. PETA filed a complaint on April 30 seeking aggravated animal cruelty charges against Bandré and Sloth World owner Benjamin Agresta.
Bandré, who has spent four decades advocating for sea turtle conservation in Brevard County, served as vice president of Sloth World Inc. according to corporate records. The Sea Turtle Preservation Society, which he founded, is set to celebrate its 40th anniversary on May 6—just three days after the AG’s announcement. A review of state records and website archives suggests Bandré’s involvement with Sloth World coincided with his leadership in the nonprofit, though details about his role at the attraction remain unclear.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is handling the PETA complaint, which alleges the sloths were kept in an unheated warehouse. National outlets like the BBC and Inside Climate News have covered the case, but local media has highlighted Bandré’s dual role as a respected conservationist and a figure linked to the sloth deaths. The investigation could impact the Sea Turtle Preservation Society’s upcoming anniversary events, which have drawn support from Brevard County residents for decades.
Sloth World Inc. filed for bankruptcy in 2025, but the criminal probe and PETA complaint have reignited scrutiny over its operations. Bandré has not publicly commented on the allegations. The AG’s office did not specify the nature of Bandré’s alleged involvement in the probe, which is still active. The case has divided the community, with some questioning how a local environmental leader could be tied to an attraction linked to animal cruelty.