‘Tiger King’ Zoo Ordered By Courts To Turn Over Big Cats

The new owners of an Oklahoma zoo that was made popular by the popular Netflix series Tiger King have been ordered by a federal judge in Oklahoma to turn over all of the lion and tiger cubs, along with their mothers, to the federal government.

The current owners, Jeffrey and Lauren Lowe, of Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park allegedly violated the Endangered Species Act and the Animal Welfare Act.

“The Lowes have showed a shocking disregard for both the health and welfare of their animals, as well as the law,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan D. Brightbill from the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.

As covered by the Netflix series, the Lowes took ownership of the animal park when Joseph Maldonado-Passage, known as “Joe Exotic“, was sentenced to 22 years in Texas federal prison for his participation in a murder-for-hire plot and violated federal wildlife laws. Maldonado had recently requested a presidential pardon from Donald Trump, which he was unsuccessful in obtaining.