Banned In The U.S., ‘Tiger King’ Star Jeff Lowe To Open Zoo In Mexico

After the U.S. Department of Justice banned Jeff Lowe, the Tiger King star, and his wife Lauren Lowe from owning and exhibiting animals, the couple is relocating the infamous zoo across the border to Mexico.

Jeff has reportedly secured a contract to construct a zoo on a 35-acre property between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. He is working on this Mexico project with an old friend who owns a small zoo there. The plan to open the zoo is in the next 12 to 16 months and will showcase big cats, lemurs, sloths, giraffes, and a pair of elephants and includes multiple natural water features. Jeff said the zoo does not have a name yet, but it’s expected to involve the Tiger King franchise.

The U.S. Department of Justice sent the couple a decree on Dec. 23, permanently prohibiting them from exhibiting animals as well as seizing 97 endangered and threatened animals. “This consent decree ensures that the animals mistreated and endangered by the Lowes will be moved to a safe home in [Animal Welfare Act]-licensed facilities and prohibits the Lowes from exhibiting live animals again,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division in a statement.

“This consent decree demonstrates the commitment of [U.S. Department of Agriculture] and the Department of Justice to work together to bring final resolution to this case,” Deputy Administrator Dr. Betty Goldentyer of USDA APHIS Animal Care Program said. “USDA is very proud of the hard work of our inspectors. It was their skill and expertise that allowed us to safely relocate all of the animals and end the mistreatment that was occurring at this facility.”

Jeff and Lauren are going in the ex-pat route, and they are actively looking to buy a house in Mexico and posting photos from Mexico, tagging his location with his wife, daughter, and friend Felix. He captioned the post, “Thanks to Felix for welcoming us into his life. Huge things are on the horizon. It feels so good to be us again.”