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WYNNEWOOD, Oklahoma (AP) – The Oklahoma Zoo featured in Netflix’s “Tiger King” documentary has closed its doors after federal authorities investigated it for alleged animal abuse and suspended its license.
The Greater Wynnewood Exotic Wildlife Park has closed to the public after the U.S. Department of Agriculture suspended owner Jeff Lowe’s exhibitor license for 21 days on Monday.
The zoo, previously managed by Joseph Maldonado-Passage – also known as Joe Exotic – rose to fame after being featured in Netflix’s “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness”.
The Garvin County Sheriff’s Office and the USDA investigated the zoo after receiving an official report containing photos showing a lion with its ears covered in flies and another with the tips of its ears covered in blood.
But Lowe said in a statement Tuesday that his license had been suspended for “a litany of lies.” He said he planned to open a new park for private filming for TV and streaming services, KFOR-TV reported.
“Rest assured that all animals will continue to receive excellent care,” Lowe said.
Officials from the animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, known as PETA, say photos included in the report show lions suffering from fly strikes. In this condition, flies are usually attracted to unkempt animal waste, bite other animals and lay eggs on them, causing hatched maggots to eat the skin.
“PETA looks forward to seeing all of the long-suffering animals at the GW Zoo transferred to a suitable facility where no federal intervention is required for a sick cat to receive veterinary care,” said Brittany Peet, deputy. General of the PETA Foundation. Lawyer for law enforcement on captive animals.
An Indiana district court recently ordered Lowe to provide veterinary records for lions that were allegedly treated improperly.
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