68 Big Cats Seized from ‘Tiger King’ Park for Poor Conditions
Did you watch Tiger King? The United States Justice Department seized 68 big cats, mostly tigers of course, from Jeffrey and Lauren Lowe's Tiger King Park in Oklahoma. According to ABCNews the government described a long investigation with ongoing violations of the Endangered Species Act. The animals were not being cared for properly. No protection from bad weather, poor nutrition and little to no proper vet care. Some even had untreated injuries, and many had signs of distress.
The huge cats that were in small cages and seized included lions, tigers, lion-tiger hybrids and a jaguar, according to authorities. "This seizure should send a clear message that the Justice Department takes alleged harm to captive-bred animals protected under the Endangered Species Act very seriously," said acting assistant attorney general Jean Williams of the DOJ's Environment and Natural Resources Division.
The Lowes took over the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park from "Joe Exotic," the star in Netflix's "Tiger King." According to the Associated Press, This has been coming since November when the Justice Department filed a civil complaint for violating the Endangered Species Act and Animal Welfare Act against the Lowes. Last week a court found both in contempt for violating an order to stop them from breeding or obtaining anymore exotic animals. Jeffrey and Lauren Lowe were charged with $1,000 per-day fine if they kept the animals. At that point they agreed to give up the big cats.
I have no idea what they do with these large animals after seizing them. I would think they go to another, better animal sanctuary, or maybe go to zoos,