The zoo made famous by Netflix’s “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness” is officially closing down.
On Monday, August 17th, current park owner Jeffrey Lowe announced on Facebook the animal park’s closure. The park will be closing down due to the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) decision to suspend the park’s exhibition license.
The Case
In his statement, Lowe blamed “the pressures of” animal rights activists for the park’s closure. He also credited the Netflix series’ success for the park’s attention, both positive and negative.
As for the USDA, recent reports claim multiple animal welfare violations for the park’s closure. Such misregulations include improper animal food storage, mishandled repairs, etc. Lowe denied the accusations.
“The very agency that has given my facility five consecutive perfect inspections, has now folded to the pressures of PETA and continue to make false accusations against me,” the post stated.
In addition to the park, Lowe has also voluntarily decided to forfeit his own USDA exhibitor license. Such a license would allow him to buy and sell exotic animals.
Activists like Brittany Peet, PETA’s deputy general, are currently calling for the permanent cancellation of Lowe’s exhibition license.
In a recent statement, Peet wrote, “PETA looks forward to seeing every one of the long-suffering animals at the G.W. Zoo be transferred to an appropriate facility.”
The Park
The animal park will be converted into a “private film set for Tiger King related television content for cable and streaming services.”
An eight-part series inspired by the “Tiger King,” starring Nicholas Cage, is in the midst of production. Rumors for a second season of the original series meanwhile exist.
The zoo will be officially handed over to the park’s rival Carole Baskin, owner of Big Cat Rescue, as part of a $1M federal trademark dispute.
The people
As of the series, Baskin is currently facing a lawsuit over the disappearance of her ex-husband Don Lewis.
The park’s founder and Lowe’s former business partner, Joe Exotic, is still serving a 22-year sentence for animal abuse and murder-for-hire.
Read More: Carole Baskin Wins Control Over Joe Exotic’s Tiger Park
