Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
'Tiger King' Zoo Closes After Animal Treatment Investigation
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 5 years ago on
August 20, 2020

Share

WYNNEWOOD, Okla. — The Oklahoma zoo featured in Netflix’s “Tiger King” documentary has closed after federal authorities investigated it for alleged maltreatment of animals and suspended its license.

The Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park closed to the public after the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Monday suspended the exhibitor license for owner Jeff Lowe for 21 days.

The zoo, previously run by Joseph Maldonado-Passage —also known as Joe Exotic— became famous after being featured in Netflix’s “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness.”

The Garvin County Sheriff’s Office and USDA investigated the zoo after receiving a formal report that documented photos showing a lion with its ears covered in flies and another with the tips of its ears covered in blood.

The Garvin County Sheriff’s Office and USDA investigated the zoo after receiving a formal report that documented photos showing a lion with its ears covered in flies and another with the tips of its ears covered in blood.

But Lowe said in a statement Tuesday that his license was suspended over a “litany of falsehoods.” He said he plans to open a new park for private filming for television and streaming services, KFOR-TV reported.

“Rest assured that all the animals will continue to have excellent care,” Lowe said.

Officials at the animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, referred to as PETA, say the photos included in the report show lions suffering from flystrike. In this condition, flies are usually attracted to uncleared animal waste, bite other animals and lay eggs on them, resulting in hatched maggots eating the skin.

“PETA looks forward to seeing every one of the long-suffering animals at the G.W. Zoo be transferred to an appropriate facility where it won’t take federal intervention for a sick cat to receive veterinary care,” said Brittany Peet, PETA Foundation Deputy General Counsel for Captive Animal Law Enforcement.

An Indiana district court recently ordered Lowe to provide veterinary records for the lions allegedly not being treated appropriately.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Fresno Man, a Repeat DUI Offender, Sentenced to 15 Years to Life for Teen’s Death

DON'T MISS

Jewish Student Who Took on Harvard in Court Ends Lawsuit

DON'T MISS

Oakhurst Man Charged for Fresno Stalking, Child Exploitation

DON'T MISS

Trump Announces $14.5 Billion Etihad Commitment With Boeing, GE

DON'T MISS

Denver Air Traffic Briefly Lost Communications on Monday, FAA Says

DON'T MISS

Fresno Shut Out Of $200M for Downtown Projects by State Budget

DON'T MISS

Feds Charge Two Men in Email Scam Pulled on Fresno County

DON'T MISS

Fresno Officials Urge Parole Board to Deny Release of Convicted ‘Tower Rapist’

DON'T MISS

Clovis Mayor’s Breakfast Hot Topics: Elections, Measure C, ‘Way of Life’

DON'T MISS

Ben & Jerry’s Founder Arrested at Senate Hearing After Protesting War in Gaza

UP NEXT

Cassie Testifies in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Sex Trafficking Trial. What to Know About the Star Witness

UP NEXT

Judge Rejects Claim That Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Was Treated Differently Because of His Race

UP NEXT

Rapper Tory Lanez Attacked at a California Prison as He Serves Time for Megan Thee Stallion Shooting

UP NEXT

The TikTok Effect: Viral Videos Create the Next Travel Hotspots

UP NEXT

‘The Studio’ Knows the Real Reason Movies Are Bad

UP NEXT

Summer Movie Guide 2025: Here’s What’s Coming to Theaters and Streaming From May to August

UP NEXT

Give Mom the Gift of a Kitchen-Free Mother’s Day

UP NEXT

National Hummus Day Highlights New Ways to Enjoy an Old Favorite

UP NEXT

Gas Up and Go: These Car Shows Are the Ultimate Road-Trip Destinations

UP NEXT

Welcome to Reno, the Mighty Mecca of All-You-Can-Eat Sushi

Trump Announces $14.5 Billion Etihad Commitment With Boeing, GE

5 hours ago

Denver Air Traffic Briefly Lost Communications on Monday, FAA Says

5 hours ago

Fresno Shut Out Of $200M for Downtown Projects by State Budget

5 hours ago

Feds Charge Two Men in Email Scam Pulled on Fresno County

6 hours ago

Fresno Officials Urge Parole Board to Deny Release of Convicted ‘Tower Rapist’

7 hours ago

Clovis Mayor’s Breakfast Hot Topics: Elections, Measure C, ‘Way of Life’

7 hours ago

Ben & Jerry’s Founder Arrested at Senate Hearing After Protesting War in Gaza

8 hours ago

Trump Navigates Iran Nuclear Talks. Should US Insist on Zero Enrichment?

8 hours ago

WNBA Set To Tipoff Season With Teams Looking To Challenge For Title

9 hours ago

CA Gov. Gavin Newsom Tries to Rebrand Himself Ahead of Potential Presidential Run

9 hours ago

Fresno Man, a Repeat DUI Offender, Sentenced to 15 Years to Life for Teen’s Death

A Fresno man with a prior DUI conviction was sentenced Thursday to 15 years to life in state prison for causing a 2022 crash that killed a 1...

3 hours ago

3 hours ago

Fresno Man, a Repeat DUI Offender, Sentenced to 15 Years to Life for Teen’s Death

People sit on the grass at the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., April 15, 2025. REUTERS/Faith Ninivaggi/File Photo
5 hours ago

Jewish Student Who Took on Harvard in Court Ends Lawsuit

5 hours ago

Oakhurst Man Charged for Fresno Stalking, Child Exploitation

U.S. President Donald Trump meets United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at Qasr Al Watan, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, May 15, 2025. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky
5 hours ago

Trump Announces $14.5 Billion Etihad Commitment With Boeing, GE

The air traffic control tower is seen from the Denver International Airport terminal, as a Delta flight sits at the gate, in Denver, Colorado, U.S., May 15, 2025. REUTERS/Megan Varner
5 hours ago

Denver Air Traffic Briefly Lost Communications on Monday, FAA Says

5 hours ago

Fresno Shut Out Of $200M for Downtown Projects by State Budget

6 hours ago

Feds Charge Two Men in Email Scam Pulled on Fresno County

7 hours ago

Fresno Officials Urge Parole Board to Deny Release of Convicted ‘Tower Rapist’

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend