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 4 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

Man Sets Himself on Fire Outside Trump Hush Money Trial Court

DON'T MISS

McDonald’s Ice Cream Machines Are So Unreliable They’re a Meme. They Might Also Be a Climate Solution.

DON'T MISS

Real Estate Experts Talk Fresno’s Economic Future. Are Tough Times Ahead?

DON'T MISS

Unlocking the Secrets to Fresno State’s Superb Baseball Season

DON'T MISS

‘This Is How to Improve Reading Proficiency. We Just Have Execute It’: FUSD Board President

DON'T MISS

Does Dyer Support (or Endorse) Bredefeld for Supervisor?

DON'T MISS

Get a 3D First Look at Merced’s High-Speed Rail Station Design

DON'T MISS

California Court to Decide on Transgender Ballot Measure Wording

DON'T MISS

Rare House Vote Sees Ukraine, Israel Aid Advance as Democrats Join Republicans

DON'T MISS

Full Jury and 6 Alternates Seated in Trump’s Hush Money Trial

UP NEXT

Taylor Swift Drops 15 New Songs on Double Album, ‘The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology’

UP NEXT

Savannah Bananas Dominate Social Media, Sell Out Stadiums Nationwide Including Fresno

UP NEXT

Big Names in Rap, Christian Music, and Comedy Headline Must-See Weekend Entertainment

UP NEXT

What Winnie the Pooh and Mickey Mouse Can Tell Us About the Public Domain and Remix Culture

UP NEXT

‘Civil War’ Declares Victory at the Box Office, Toppling ‘Godzilla X Kong’

UP NEXT

Are Americans Feeling Like They Get Enough Sleep? Dream On, a New Gallup Poll Says

UP NEXT

Teacher Appreciation Week Surprises That Educators Will Love

UP NEXT

Reacher Star Alan Ritchson Calls Donald Trump a ‘Rapist’

UP NEXT

Fresno Monopoly is Coming. You Have a Chance to Make It Your Own.

UP NEXT

New Version of Scrabble Aims to Make the Word-Building Game ‘Inclusive’

Unlocking the Secrets to Fresno State’s Superb Baseball Season

8 hours ago

‘This Is How to Improve Reading Proficiency. We Just Have Execute It’: FUSD Board President

9 hours ago

Does Dyer Support (or Endorse) Bredefeld for Supervisor?

9 hours ago

Get a 3D First Look at Merced’s High-Speed Rail Station Design

10 hours ago

California Court to Decide on Transgender Ballot Measure Wording

10 hours ago

Rare House Vote Sees Ukraine, Israel Aid Advance as Democrats Join Republicans

12 hours ago

Full Jury and 6 Alternates Seated in Trump’s Hush Money Trial

12 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: How High Will the Price of Gold & Silver Go?

Video /

13 hours ago

How 4/20 Grew From Humble Roots to Marijuana’s High Holiday

14 hours ago

Taylor Swift Drops 15 New Songs on Double Album, ‘The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology’

14 hours ago

Man Sets Himself on Fire Outside Trump Hush Money Trial Court

NEW YORK — Police officials said they were reviewing whether to restrict access to a public park outside the courthouse where former Preside...

6 hours ago

6 hours ago

Man Sets Himself on Fire Outside Trump Hush Money Trial Court

7 hours ago

McDonald’s Ice Cream Machines Are So Unreliable They’re a Meme. They Might Also Be a Climate Solution.

7 hours ago

Real Estate Experts Talk Fresno’s Economic Future. Are Tough Times Ahead?

8 hours ago

Unlocking the Secrets to Fresno State’s Superb Baseball Season

9 hours ago

‘This Is How to Improve Reading Proficiency. We Just Have Execute It’: FUSD Board President

9 hours ago

Does Dyer Support (or Endorse) Bredefeld for Supervisor?

10 hours ago

Get a 3D First Look at Merced’s High-Speed Rail Station Design

10 hours ago

California Court to Decide on Transgender Ballot Measure Wording

MENU

CONNECT WITH US

Search

Send this to a friend