WYNNEWOOD, Okla. (AP) – The Oklahoma Zoo featured in Netflix’s Tiger King documentary has been closed after federal authorities suspended the investigation into suspected animal cruelty and suspended its license.
The Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park is closed to the public after the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Monday withheld the exhibit license for owner Jeff Lowe for 21 days.
The zoo, formerly run by Joseph Maldonado-Passage – also known as Joe Exotic – became famous after appearing in Netflix’s “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness.”
The Garvin County Sheriff’s Office and USDA investigated the zoo after receiving a formal report documenting photos showing one lion with his ears covered in flies and another with the tips of his ears covered in blood.
But Lowe said Tuesday in a statement that his license was revoked because of a “litany of forgeries.” He says he plans to open a new park for private filming for television and streaming services, KFOR-TV report.
“Make sure all animals remain in excellent care,” Lowe said.
Officials at the organization for animal rights People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, referred to as PETA, say the photos included in the report show lions suffering from fly strike. In this condition, bottles are usually attracted to undigested animal waste, bite other animals and lay eggs on them, resulting in breakage molds that eat the skin.
“PETA is looking forward to seeing each of the long-suffering animals at the GW Zoo transferred to an appropriate facility where it will not take federal intervention for a sick cat to receive veterinary care,” said Brittany Peet , PETA State Deputy General Counsel for Enforcement of Captured Animals.
A district court in Indiana recently ordered Lowe to provide veterinary records for the lions that are unlikely to be treated appropriately.
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