USDA Condemns ‘Tiger King’ Zoo As Unannounced Inspection Finds Horrific Abuse
Government officials find burned, rotting tiger corpses, and seriously ill animals denied veterinary care at the infamous zoo, which featured in the hit Netflix documentary.
Credit: Amy Jones/Moving Animals
Government officials from USDA have made a series of shocking discoveries during an unannounced inspection of the zoo made famous by Netflix’s hit documentary, ‘Tiger King’.
The damning report of G.W. Exotic Animal Park outlined numerous cases of animal abuse and neglect, reports Newsweek.
The body of a male tigon - a hybrid of a tiger and lion - was found partially burned and rotting near that of another tiger corpse. The tigon is thought to have died of renal failure, and was not given any veterinary care in the four months prior to his death.
Among the animals still alive, a lion cub was described by investigators as being "lethargic, depressed, and thin, and would not get up out of the mud from a sitting position".
The Oklahoma park, founded by Joe Exotic in 1999, is also home to nearly 50 species of animals.
Arthritic wolves with chronic back pain were forced to sleep on concrete floors, while ailing grizzly bears - exhibiting “neurotic behaviors” - were so thin that their bones were protruding.
Porcupines, kangaroos, and primates, were among other animals named in the report as also suffering from the park’s failings.
Despite obvious neglect, the prominence of the ‘Tiger King’ documentary has helped lead huge crowds to the park since its reopening post-lockdown, highlighting America’s longstanding problem with captive exotic animals.
Whilst there are twenty-one states that prohibit the keeping of dangerous exotic pets such as big cats, there is currently no U.S. federal law concerning big cat ownership.
However, campaigners are currently trying to pass the Big Cat Public Safety Act, a legislation which seeks to protect these captive animals by outlawing direct contact between the public and big cats. This would effectively outlaw cruel places like G.W. Exotic Animal Park.
With around 5,000 captive tigers in the US, this act has the potential to help protect big cats by outlawing backyard captive big cat collectors and inhumane cub handling exhibits. Campaigners are urging the public to ask their Member of Congress to support the Big Cat Public Safety Act - you can find out how you can do so here.
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