Federal authorities seized 68 big cats from an animal park in Oklahoma featured in Netflix’s “Tiger King.”
The massive operation corralled 68 animals, including lions, tigers, lion-tiger hybrids and a jaguar from Jeffrey Lowe's zoo (Joe Exotic used to own it).
The seizure was part of an ongoing probe for Endangered Species Act violations. According to the feds, they’ve conducted 3 inspections of the park since mid-December 2020, and during those inspections, the Lowes "received citations for failing to provide the animals with adequate or timely veterinary care, appropriate nutrition" and shelter that allows for normal behavior and protects them from bad weather. Lowe was also supposed to employ a qualified veterinarian, but that never happened. An attorney for the couple, told a federal judge that the Lowes “want out completely.” The acting Assistant Attorney General said in a statement that the DOJ is working to ensure the animals are sent to “responsible animal preserves where they can be safely maintained rather than exploited."