Top line
The federal government has seized 68 lions, tigers, lion-tiger hybrids, and one jaguar from an animal park owned by Jeff Lowe, a star in the 2020 Netflix documentary Tiger King, after federal investigators repeatedly found the endangered animals that did not receive proper care.
The federal government confiscated 68 big cats from Tiger King Park in Oklahoma after inspectors found out … [+]
getty
Key factors
According to the Justice Department, the big cats were confiscated after Lowe and his wife, Lauren Lowe, fell into disdain after “months of non-compliance with court orders.”
The Lowes have faced a federal complaint since November alleging they violated the Endangered Species Act and failed to provide “timely veterinary care, adequate food and shelter” to the big cats.
The cats were taken from Lowe’s Tiger King Park in Thackerville, Oklahoma, which he opened after losing his license to operate the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park featured in the documentary and formerly owned by Joe Exotic.
The Lowes said last week they would be willing to give up big cats if that meant resolving the federal complaint.
Crucial quote
“This seizure should send a clear message that the Justice Department is taking very seriously alleged harm to captive-bred animals protected under the Endangered Species Act,” said Assistant Attorney General Jean E. Williams.
What to look for
Exotic appeals to President Joe Biden to grant him an apology to remove the remaining 16 years of his federal sentence for plotting a rental murder plan to kill his rival and animal rights activist Carole Baskin. Exotic repeatedly campaigned for an apology from former President Donald Trump, and his legal team grew so confident that a limo was parked outside the federal prison in Fort Worth, Texas, where Exotic is being held. But there was no forgiveness.
Key background
The Tiger King series became a cultural phenomenon in 2020, and many owed its success to a release date that coincided with early and often strict coronavirus bans. The stars of the show, especially Exotic and Baskin, have made a name for themselves while the often seedy dealings with animal parks and animal abuse there have been scrutinized far more closely. Lowe, who bought Wynnewood Park from Exotic in 2016, alleged in a trial that the federal government did not condemn his treatment of animals until after the show was released.
tangent
Another bizarre big cat case occurred in Houston earlier this month when a Bengal tiger was discovered in a suburb. The tiger was nearly shot by an off-duty police officer before its owner, Victor Hugo Cuevas, who is also accused of 2017 murder, took the cat into his jeep and sped away from the police. Cuevas later turned himself in and a judge revoked his bail on the murder charges. The tiger was later found and taken to a shelter in North Texas.
further reading
The accused killer and his escaped tiger flee from the Houston police (Forbes)
“Tiger King” Star Jeff Lowe Ready To Give Up Big Cats To End Lawsuit, Attorney Says Oklahoman