Big cats from ‘Tiger King’ zoo seized

It feels like a lifetime ago that the controversial docu-series ‘Tiger King’ premiered on Netflix. However, the hit series helped so many through the first few weeks of lockdown. While the series ended and star Joe Exotic remains in jail for conspiring to murder his nemesis Carole Baskin and for illegally killing tigers at his park to make space for new exotic animals, the fight to protect big cats continues.

Now, the American Justice Department announced they had confiscated the exotic animals from Jeff and Lauren Lowe's Tiger King Park in Oklahoma in a bid to crack down on the sale and mistreatment of big cats. 

It has been reported that officials have inspected the zoo three times since December 2020 and have issued multiple citations for failure to properly care for the animals.

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According to a report, seven lions, 46 tigers, 15 lion-tiger hybrids, and one jaguar were recovered in the seize in which the couple is accused of violating US laws on endangered species and animal welfare.

During government inspections, Jeff and Lauren were repeatedly cited "for failing to provide the animals with adequate or timely veterinary care, appropriate nutrition, and shelter that protects them from inclement weather and is of sufficient size to allow them to engage in normal behaviour", according to a news release from the Justice Department.

READ: Tiger spotted on the streets of Houston

The department adds that the couple were found to be in contempt after “failing to follow court orders to hire a qualified veterinarian to ensure that the cats could receive levels of care required under the Animal Welfare Act.”

Officials add that many of the cats were found to have bone disorders due to calcium deficiency from eating boneless and ground meat.

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Image courtesy: Pixabay