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{{short description|Animal park in Oklahoma, United States}}
{{orphan|date=March 2010}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2020}}

{{Infobox zoo
{{Infobox zoo
|zoo_name= GW Exotic Animal Foundation
|zoo_name = Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park
|logo_width =
|logo=
|logo_caption =
|logo_width=
|logo_caption=GW Exotic Animal Park
|image = File:Logo for the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park.png
|image_width =
|image=
|image_caption =
|image_width=
|date_opened = {{start date|1999}}
|image_caption=
|date_closed = August 18, 2020
|date_opened=1997
|location = [[Wynnewood, Oklahoma|Wynnewood]], [[Oklahoma]], U.S.
|date_closed=
|location= Wynnewood, Oklahoma
|pushpin_map=Oklahoma
|area = {{convert|16|acre}}
|area=
|coordinates = {{coord|34|37|32|N|97|12|40|W|region:US|display=title, inline}}
|coordinates=
|mapframe=yes
|num_animals=1400
|num_animals = 700
|num_species=128
|num_species = 50
|members=Associate Member of the Zoological Association of America|ZAA<br />United States Zoological Association|USZA<br />United States Animal Sanctuary of America Association|USASAA
|exhibits=Exotic Species, Big Cats, Bears
|owner=[[Joe Exotic]] (1999–2018)<br />
Jeff Lowe (2018–2020)<br />}}
|website=http://www.gwpark.org
The '''Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park''', alternatively known as the '''G.W. Zoo''', '''Tiger King Park''' and formerly the '''Garold Wayne Exotic Animal Memorial Park''',<ref name="Intelligencer" /> was an animal park displaying predominantly [[tiger]]s and other [[big cat]]s in [[Wynnewood, Oklahoma|Wynnewood]], [[Oklahoma]], United States. The park garnered substantial public attention due to the 2020 [[Netflix]] documentary series ''[[Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness]]'', which focused on park founder and owner [[Joe Exotic]].
}}


==History==
The '''G.W. Exotic Animal Foundation''', also known as G.W. Exotic Animal Memorial Foundation<ref name="USDA">{{cite web| url=http://www.da.usda.gov/oaljdecisions/AWA_05-0014_012606.pdf |title= Department of Agriculture Docket # 05-0014| accessdate= 23 February 2010}}</ref> and the G.W. Exotic Animal Park,<ref name="G.W. Website">{{cite web|url=http://gwexotic.com/|title= G.W. Exotic Home Page| accessdate = 23 February 2010}}</ref> is a non-profit organization founded in the [[United States]]. The organization's stated purpose is to provide care and shelter for exotic animals. It was founded in 1997 by the Schreibvogel Family of Springer, Oklahoma in memory of their late son who died in an automobile accident.<ref name="G.W. Website" /> The current president is Joe Schreibvogel, who is also known as Joe Exotic,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.joeexotic.com/joe.html|title=Biography of Joe Exotic| accessdate= 23 February 2010}}</ref> and Aarron Alex.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.muscatinejournal.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_4deb847a-3da4-11df-be15-001cc4c03286.html|title=Magician: I should get to defend myself| date=April 1, 2010|accessdate=1 April 2010}}</ref>
[[File:Taliger at G.W. Park.jpg|thumb|right|Taliger at the G. W. Zoo, pictured in 2013]]
Situated on {{convert|16|acre}}, the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park began as a shelter for endangered and exotic species of animals, and was home to over fifty species of animals and 200 [[big cat]]s, such as [[tiger]]s, [[lion]]s, [[cougar|puma]]s, [[liger]]s and [[tigon]]s. It was originally established as the '''Garold Wayne Exotic Animal Memorial Park''' in 1999 by [[Joe Exotic]] and dedicated to the memory of his brother, Garold Wayne Schreibvogel, who had died in a car crash in 1997.<ref name="Intelligencer">{{cite news |last1=Moor |first1=Robert |title=American Animals Joe Exotic bred lions, tigers, and ligers at his roadside zoo. He was a modern Barnum who found an equally extraordinary nemesis. |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/09/joe-exotic-and-his-american-animals.html |access-date=January 24, 2020 |agency=Intelligencer |publisher=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] |date=September 3, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://time.com/5807284/tiger-king-netflix-true-story/?amp=true|title=The Wild Story Behind Netflix's New Docuseries Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness|date=March 20, 2020|last=Gajanan|first=Mahita|website=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref> The park was known by multiple names over the years, including the '''G.W. Exotic Animal Memorial Foundation'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_ok/2100622733|title=G.W. EXOTIC ANIMAL MEMORIAL FOUNDATION (1999)}}</ref> and the '''Garold Wayne Interactive Zoological Foundation'''.<ref name="corp2013">{{cite web|url=https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_ok/2112393404|title=THE GAROLD WAYNE INTERACTIVE ZOOLOGICAL FOUNDATION (2013)}}</ref>


In 2010, G.W. Exotic Animal Memorial Foundation created Big Cat Rescue Entertainment Group, Inc.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_ok/2112270578|title=BIG CAT RESCUE ENTERTAINMENT GROUP INC. (2010)}}</ref> [[Big Cat Rescue|Big Cat Rescue Corp.]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_fl/N03000007047|title=BIG CAT RESCUE CORP. (2003)}}</ref> an [[animal sanctuary]] based in [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]], [[Florida]], filed suit against them, claiming the name and logo similarities were used to damage their reputation and cause confusion;<ref name="oknews">{{cite web|url=http://newsok.com/joe-exotic-ordered-to-pay-florida-animal-sanctuary-1-million/article/3760664|title='Joe Exotic' ordered to pay Florida animal sanctuary $1 million|date=March 2, 2013|access-date=August 16, 2014}}</ref> the Tampa sanctuary's founder, [[Carole Baskin]], had previously been a critic of the practices at Joe Exotic's park.<ref name="Beast">{{cite web|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/joe-exotic-built-a-wild-animal-kingdom-he-was-the-most-dangerous-predator-of-them-all|title=Joe Exotic Built a Wild Animal Kingdom. He Was the Most Dangerous Predator of Them All.|last=Williams|first=Sean|date=June 22, 2019|website=www.thedailybeast.com}}</ref><ref name="oklahoman2019">{{cite news|first=Nolan|last=Clay|title=Joe Exotic found guilty in murder-for-hire case|url=https://oklahoman.com/article/5627553/joe-exotic-found-guilty-in-murder-for-hire-case|publisher=[[The Oklahoman]]|date=April 3, 2019|access-date=August 10, 2019}}</ref><ref name="ABC">{{cite news |title='Joe Exotic' sentenced to 22 years in federal prison on murder-for-hire, wildlife charges |url=https://www.koco.com/article/joe-exotic-to-be-formally-sentenced-on-murder-for-hire-wildlife-charges/30625982 |access-date=January 23, 2020 |website=ABC Koco News 5 |date=January 22, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Garcia |first=Sandra E. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/22/us/joe-exotic-sentence-oklahoma.html |title=Former Zookeeper Sentenced to 22 Years in Murder-for-Hire Plot |date=January 22, 2020 |work=The New York Times |access-date=February 27, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The defendants counter-claimed, stating that Big Cat Rescue had caused them financial loss. In February 2013, a judge rejected the counter-claim and Exotic agreed to a [[consent decree]] of approximately {{Currency|1 million|US|passthrough=yes}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.leagle.com/decision/infdco20130520856|title=Big Cat Rescue Corp. v. Big Cat Rescue Entertainment Group, Inc.; No. 8:12-CV-02381... &#124; 20130520856&#124; Consent Final Judgment and Permanent Injunction|website=Leagle.com|access-date=April 18, 2020}}</ref> The park filed for bankruptcy and remained open to the public.<ref name="oknews"/> A new park, The Garold Wayne Interactive Zoological Foundation, was incorporated shortly after the suit.<ref name="corp2013" /> The entity G.W. Exotic Animal Memorial Foundation was dissolved and its assets, but not liabilities, were transferred to The Garold Wayne Interactive Zoological Foundation. Big Cat Rescue again filed suit on the premise that the new park was a successor to the first park and had the same personnel, income, assets, property, and overall business. In 2016, The Garold Wayne Interactive Zoological Foundation was determined liable and ordered to pay {{Currency|1,028,000|US}} and interest.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.leagle.com/decision/In%20FDCO%2020160203E72/BIG%20CAT%20RESCUE%20CORP.%20v.%20G.W.%20EXOTIC%20ANIMAL%20MEMORIAL%20FOUNDATION|access-date=April 18, 2020| title=Big Cat Rescue Corp v. GW Exotic Memorial Animal Foundation; Memorandum Opinion and Order|website=Leagle.com}}</ref>
The foundation states that it is supported by sponsorships from local business owners and income generated by the exotic animal park.<ref name="G.W. Website" /> Income is also generated for the park by personal appearances with wild animals by Joseph Schreibvogel at local malls and fairs.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.thenewsherald.com/articles/2009/09/12/news/doc4aabdcd7f2446752163884.txt | title=Animal activists upset over mall event featuring lions and tigers| date=September 12, 2009| accessdate=23 February 2010}}</ref> In 2008, the foundation reported that it had one employee during that year who was paid $2600.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://dynamodata.fdncenter.org/990_pdf_archive/731/731574292/731574292_200812_990.pdf |accessdate= 23 February 2010| title=IRS Form 990}}</ref>


In 2011, the park was issued a [[Rendering (animal products)|rendering facility]] license by the [[State of Oklahoma]].<ref name="renderingplant">{{cite web | url=http://www.ok.gov/~okag/food/foodsafety-prts.pdf | title=Rendering Licenses | access-date=February 23, 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521121344/http://www.ok.gov/~okag/food/foodsafety-prts.pdf | archive-date=May 21, 2015 }}</ref>
==Establishment==
The G.W. Exotic Animal Park began as a shelter for endangered and exotic species of animals that might otherwise suffer from a lack of proper care. It has since grown into one of the largest exotic species parks in the entire country. It currently houses and cares for over 128 species of animals and over 182 [[big cats]]. In total, the park has approximately 1400 animals under its care and shelter during the year.<ref name="G.W. Website" />


In 2016, Jeff Lowe purchased the park from Exotic, but left him in charge of daily operations.<ref name="oklahoman2019"/> Lowe, a businessman, had previously been convicted of [[mail fraud]], and had run afoul of local authorities in [[Beaufort, South Carolina]], in 2015 for exhibiting big cats at his liquidation store without appropriate permits.<ref name="islandpacket">{{Cite web|url=https://www.islandpacket.com/news/local/community/beaufort-news/article33646743.html|title=Beaufort big cat owner has fraud conviction on his record |last=Lurye|first=Rebecca|date=April 30, 2015|website=www.islandpacket.com}}</ref>
The park is open to the public and receives thousands of visitors each year. The park offers tours and educational programs for visitors.


Lowe increased the zoo's menagerie from 29 animals in 2017 to 212 in 2020, [[United States Department of Agriculture]] (USDA) records show; the zoo then had [[bear]]s, [[lemur]]s and [[monkey]]s in addition to exotic cats.<ref name=TMZ_USDA/> In 2019, Lowe announced plans to close the park and move the animals to a new location near [[Thackerville, Oklahoma]].<ref name="oklahoman2019"/>
==Accreditations==
The park claims accreditation from the Zoological Association of America, however it is not listed as an accredited member on that organization's listings.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.zaoa.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9&Itemid=31| title= ZAA Acredited Facilities| accessdate= 23 February 2010}}</ref> The park also claims accreditation from the United States Animal Sanctuary of America Association, which has no web site, and the United States Zoological Association, which indicates its purpose is to "move and place more animals in more professional homes and zoos."<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.usza.us/animalnetwork.html | title = United States Zoological Association | accessdate= 23 February 2010}}</ref>


The Wynnewood park was renamed "Tiger King Park" and was reopened in early May 2020 after a brief closure during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name="peoplemay2020">{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/pets/tiger-king-fans-crowd-joe-exotic-zoo-reopening-coronavirus/|title=Tiger King Fans Flock to Joe Exotic's Zoo for its Reopening After Coronavirus Shutdown|publisher=[[People (magazine)|People]]|date=May 6, 2020|first1=Eric|last1=Todisco}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sos.ok.gov/corp/corpInformation.aspx?id=4712830227|title=corpInformation|website=www.sos.ok.gov}}</ref>
==Breeding program==
The G.W. Exotic Animal Park breeds [[exotic species]]. The animal park states that it does not sell surplus animals. However, Joseph Schreibvogel has been accused by [[animal rights]] group [[PETA]]<ref name="PETA">{{cite web| url=http://www.peta.org/feat-gw_main.asp| title=Oklahoma Pseudo-Sanctuary: Shelter From Danger or Dangerous Shelter?| accessdate= 23 February 2010}}</ref> of offering free exotic animals through Animal Finders Guide, a trade publication that advertises exotic animals to breeders, dealers, and the pet trade.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.animalfindersguide.com/about.html | title=About Animal Finders Guide| accessdate = 23 February 2010}}</ref>


In May 2020, federal judge [[Scott Palk]] of the [[United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma|Western District Court of Oklahoma]] gave ownership of the park to Baskin after ruling that Exotic [[fraudulent conveyance|fraudulently transferred]] ownership to his mother to avoid paying debts incurred as a result of Baskin's suit. The judge ordered Lowe to vacate the park within 120 days and remove all animals.<ref name=kxii2020/> In June, the USDA found that many animals at the park were suffering from [[flystrike]], and on August 17, the agency suspended Lowe's exhibitor's license for 21 days, alleging poor veterinary care. Citing the incipient transfer of ownership, Lowe permanently shut down the park on August 18 rather than contesting the suspension.<ref name=TMZ_USDA>{{Cite web|title=Jeff Lowe's Zoo Suspension Due to Poor Veterinary Care Allegations|url=https://www.tmz.com/2020/08/21/jeff-lowe-zoo-suspension-veterinarian-care-failure-animals/|access-date=2021-04-15|website=TMZ|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Ushe|first=Naledi|date=2020-08-19|title='Tiger King' zoo officially closes its doors following Jeff Lowe's license suspension|url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/tiger-king-greater-wynnewood-exotic-animal-park-closed-jeff-lowe-license-suspension|access-date=2021-04-15|website=FOXBusiness|language=en-US}}</ref>
Since 1997, the animal park has successfully bred exotic animals.


After Lowe's departure, Baskin decided to sell the property with [[deed restriction]]s prohibiting the keeping of exotic animals.<ref name=kxii2020>{{cite news |last=Cluiss |first=Caroline |date=October 8, 2020 |title=Carole Baskin takes over Tiger King Zoo |url=https://www.kxii.com/2020/10/09/big-cat-rescue-takes-over-the-g-w-zoo/ |work=KXII |location=Sherman, Texas |access-date=September 15, 2022}}</ref> Baskin found the park to be heavily vandalized with rotting meat and graffiti referencing the [[disappearance of Don Lewis]]; Lowe denied responsibility for the damage.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Carole Baskin's Zoo Once Owned By Joe Exotic Vandalized with Graffiti, Trash|url=https://www.tmz.com/2020/11/24/carole-baskin-graffiti-joe-exotic-old-zoo-jeff-lowe-vandalism-rotting-meat/|access-date=2021-04-15|website=TMZ|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Hill|first=Janice|date=2020-11-25|title=Tiger King zoo vandalized with graffiti, rotting meat {{!}} Latest News & Headlines|url=https://politicsay.com/tiger-king-zoo-vandalized-with-graffiti-rotting-meat/|access-date=2021-04-15|language=en-GB}}</ref> Lowe relocated the animals to the Thackerville property, intending to open a new park there, but the [[U.S. Justice Department]] filed a lawsuit citing Lowe's history of poor animal care; the park never opened and federal authorities seized all 68 cats in May 2021.<ref>{{cite news |title=Federal authorities raid Tiger King Park in Thackerville , seize remaining big cats | url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2021/05/23/tiger-king-park-thackerville-jeff-lowe-seize-raid-joe-exotic/5206362001/ |date=May 23, 2021 |last=Clay |first=Nolan |work=[[The Oklahoman]] |location=Oklahoma City |access-date=August 26, 2022}}</ref>
<br />
Between February and June 2006 [[PETA]]<ref name="PETA"/> had an investigator go into G.W. Exotic Animals and recorded the following findings:


==Controversies==
<blockquote>
Between February and June 2006, [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals]] (PETA), an animal rights organization, investigated the park by having someone work at the park as an employee and obtain video footage of the animals and conditions, which PETA published. PETA alleged that animals were starved and "routinely hit, punched, kicked, sprayed with cold water, and struck with rakes and shovels."<ref name="peta-log">{{cite web|url=http://www.peta.org/features/gw-investigator-log-neglect.aspx |title=G.W. Exotic Animal Memorial Park Investigator's Log—Neglect |publisher=[[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals]] |access-date=June 23, 2011}}</ref><ref name="peta-sum-video">{{cite web|url=http://www.peta.org/features/gw/|title=Oklahoma Pseudo-Sanctuary: Shelter From Danger or Dangerous Shelter? |publisher=[[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals]] |access-date=August 17, 2014}}</ref> In 2011, the park's director filed a police report alleging that the employee illegally obtained access to the director's computer and copied files.<ref name="petanaughty">{{cite web|last=Surette|first=Rusty| url=http://www.news9.com/story/13825476/alleged-peta-member-planted-at-exotic-animal-park-under-criminal-investigation?redirected=true|title=PETA Allegedly Paid Man To 'Spy, Download Information' From Exotic Animal Park|date=January 11, 2011|access-date= July 28, 2011|website=news9.com}}</ref>
"GW produces litter after litter of tigers, lions, bears, and other exotic animals. Newborns were regularly taken away from their mothers.


In 2012, the [[Humane Society of the United States]] (HSUS) released a report from an undercover investigation. HSUS claimed that five tigers died during the period of their investigation, one of which did not receive veterinary care.<ref name="cbs2012">{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/alleged-abuse-at-gw-exotic-animal-park-seen-on-tape/|title=Alleged abuse at GW Memorial Park seen on tape|date=May 16, 2012|access-date=August 16, 2014|publisher=[[CBS News]]|author=Armen Keteyian}}</ref><ref name="HSUS">{{cite web|url=http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2012/05/ok_exotics_investigation.html|title='If they walk in here and take my animals away, it's going to be a small Waco':Joe Exotics pledge after being accused|date=May 16, 2012|access-date=August 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819090655/http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2012/05/ok_exotics_investigation.html|archive-date=August 19, 2014|url-status=dead|publisher=[[Humane Society of the United States]]}}</ref><ref name="HSUSalt">{{cite web|url=https://www.humanesociety.org/sites/default/files/docs/investigative-report-gw-exotic-animal-park.pdf|title=Reckless Tiger Cub Petting Zoo: The Humane Society of the United States Investigates GW Exotic Animal Park|publisher=[[Humane Society of the United States]]|date=May 22, 2012|access-date=April 29, 2020|type=PDF}}</ref>
'''February 27:''' There are a lot of pregnant cats in the park. They are definitely breeding the cats to produce cubs. Overheard [J] talking about trying to buy a white tiger to start the bloodline. They are also trying to breed ligers and tigons, mixtures of lions and tigers.


In May 2014, the USDA cited the park for failure to provide adequate veterinary care. According to officials, an injured bear's wound reopened after a stitching, and an employee attempted to re-stitch it. The injury subsequently worsened and the bear was euthanized.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kxii.com/home/headlines/GW-Interactive-Zoological-Park-under-fire-for-alleged-animal-mistreatment-260343581.html|title=G.W. Interactive Zoological Park under fire for alleged animal mistreatment|date=May 22, 2014|access-date=May 23, 2014|website=kxii.com|archive-date=May 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524030724/http://www.kxii.com/home/headlines/GW-Interactive-Zoological-Park-under-fire-for-alleged-animal-mistreatment-260343581.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
'''February 27:''' Vet tranquilized mother bear (with a dart) to get her new, 4-week-old cubs out of the enclosure.


Large animals, including horses, were sometimes donated to the park and would be killed to feed the [[big cats]].<ref name="Intelligencer" />
<br />
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'''March 6:''' A female tiger had two cubs in the early morning. … One of the cubs was chewed up and killed by another tiger. The other cub had a puncture wound but lived. [D1] said that a lot of times, a male tiger will kill the cubs to get the female tiger to go back into heat. This happens pretty often at the park, he said. … Toward the end of the night, she had three more cubs, and one of them was chewed up and killed.


On October 6, 2017, Joe Exotic's husband, Travis Maldonado, fatally shot himself in the head. The shooting occurred in the business office while the park was open. The [[Garvin County]] Sheriff ruled that the shooting was accidental.<ref name="GHM">{{cite news |last1=Keeping |first1=Juliana |title=Shooting death at Wynnewood zoo under investigation |url=https://oklahoman.com/article/5567169/shooting-death-at-wynnewood-zoo-under-investigation |access-date=January 24, 2020 |publisher=[[The Oklahoman]] |date=October 7, 2017}}</ref><ref name="KXII">{{cite news |title=Sheriff: Oklahoma zookeeper's husband accidentally shot self |url=https://www.kxii.com/content/news/-Sheriff-Oklahoma-zookeepers-husband-accidentally-shot-self-450267893.html |access-date=March 23, 2020 | agency=KXII News 12 |publisher=Associated Press |date=October 10, 2017}}</ref>
'''March 1:''' Overheard [F] saying that the mother bear from [February 27] was looking for her [missing] cubs around the cage and seemed depressed.


In September 2018, Exotic was indicted by a [[federal grand jury]], and arrested by the FBI, for attempting to hire a hitman to murder Carole Baskin.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Nolan|last1=Clay|first2=Josh|last2=Wallace|title=Joe Exotic, former Oklahoma gubernatorial candidate, indicted, accused in murder-for-hire plot|url=https://newsok.com/article/5607480/joe-exotic-former-oklahoma-gubernatorial-candidate-indicted-accused-in-murder-for-hire-plot|publisher=[[The Oklahoman]]|date=September 7, 2018|access-date=August 10, 2019}}</ref><ref name=DOJConvicted>[https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdok/pr/joe-exotic-convicted-murder-hire-and-violating-both-lacey-act-and-endangered-species "Joe Exotic" Convicted of Murder-for-Hire and Violating Both the Lacey Act and Endangered Species Act], United States Department of Justice (April 2, 2019).</ref> On April 2, 2019, following a [[jury trial]] in the [[U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma]], Exotic was convicted of 19 counts: two counts of [[murder-for-hire]], eight violations of the [[Lacey Act]] and nine of the [[Endangered Species Act]].<ref name="oklahoman2019"/><ref name=DOJConvicted/> On January 22, 2020, he was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison.<ref name="ABC"/>
<br />
<br />
'''March 9:''' Another female tiger had cubs today. Four cubs were born in the very early morning hours. One was a stillborn, so three were alive. … One cub had two puncture wounds on his neck. … These newborns will be going on the road.
<br />
<br />
'''March 10:''' [J1] repeatedly talks about trying to mate Lily and Jojo—he really wants to have a baby chimpanzee.
<br />
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'''March 24:''' [D1 said] they will attempt to breed one of the white tigers with a female orange tiger in hopes of getting a white cub.
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'''March 29:''' Two more wolf hybrids had litters. … That makes three mothers having about 16 pups, three of whom have died since being born.
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'''April 13:''' Two more tiger cubs were born this morning, and they were taken from their mother this afternoon. Unfortunately, I don't expect them to live too long. There were those two tiger cubs who died during the last road trip. … Another tiger cub died last night, and yet another one died today. That makes four tiger cubs dead within the last month or so, [possibly] from being overworked and stressed.
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'''April 17:''' One of the wolf pups was sold tonight. … The rest of them [J1] is going to take to an auction tomorrow night to sell. They are all still being breast-fed from the mothers and are only about 4 weeks old. Some can barely walk yet.
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'''May 4:''' There is a cage that has three lions in it. … There were two baby lions that had been born during the night. … [O]ne was alive and one was dead. … The other female in the cage with them is pregnant as well and will probably be giving birth shortly.


Between 2017 and the closure of the park in August 2020, Lowe was under investigation by the USDA for failure to provide adequate veterinary care and ensure adequate separation between animals and visitors. The USDA also alleged that Lowe submitted falsified veterinary records to the agency indicating approval by the park's staff veterinarian after she had resigned in 2018.<ref name=TMZ_USDA/> By mid-2020, the Garvin County Sheriff was also conducting several investigations into allegations of animal abuse, unlawful disposal of animal carcasses, and environmental violations at the park.<ref name=pv/>
'''May 16:''' [J1] told me a story about how they had gotten a female [tiger] just so Goliath could mate with her, I believe her name was Sweet Pea, and Goliath killed her within 30 seconds.
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<br />
'''June 9:''' Three new baby tigers were born today. … [T]he three cubs were [taken] out of the cage and [put] in a box in the office."<ref>http://www.peta.org/features/gw-investigator-log-breeding.aspx</ref>


In December 2019, the [[Oklahoma Tax Commission]] placed a [[tax lien]] against the park property for unpaid [[sales taxes]] from 2016, and denied the park's tax permit renewal in May 2020. A park employee alleged that Lowe had ceased sales tax payments soon after taking over the park in 2016 and had continued operations later in 2020 without a valid tax permit.<ref name=pv>{{cite news|last=Porterfield|first=Barry|title=Outrage turns to zoo's real story|url=https://www.paulsvalleydailydemocrat.com/news/local_news/outrage-turns-to-zoos-real-story/article_7cdcc5af-425c-56dd-a9bc-3517ef79b931.html|publisher=Pauls Valley Democrat|location=Pauls Valley, Oklahoma|date=August 5, 2020|access-date=April 20, 2021}}</ref> In June, the Tax Commission initiated a lawsuit against the park in the Garvin County District Court, claiming that Lowe owed $50,274 in delinquent sales tax from prior years.<ref>{{cite news|last=Clay|first=Nolan|title='Tiger King' star Joe Exotic takes feud with former business partner Jeff Lowe to court again|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2020/08/24/tiger-king-star-joe-exotic-takes-feud-jeff-lowe-court-again/3428016001/|publisher=[[USA Today]]|date=August 24, 2020|access-date=April 20, 2021}}</ref> In September after the park's permanent closure, Lowe settled the case, agreeing to pay up to $113,653 in restitution.<ref>{{cite news|last=Clay|first=Nolan|title="Tiger King" star settles tax case|url=https://www.oklahoman.com/article/5672665/tiger-king-star-settles-tax-case|publisher=[[The Oklahoman]]|location=Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|date=September 28, 2020|access-date=April 20, 2021}}</ref>
</blockquote>


==Animal rescues==
==Documentaries==
The G.W. Exotic Animal Foundation has been rescuing animals since it began operating in 1997, including three Siberian brown bears, Bixby [[prairie dogs]], and a [[black leopard]].<ref name="G.W. Website" />


The park features heavily in a 2011 documentary, ''[[Louis Theroux: America's Most Dangerous Pets]]''.
==Accusations of animal abuse==
In 2004, the animal park was accused by [[animal rights]] groups of harboring dead, dying, and injured animals in crowded inadequate conditions with a lack of food, water, veterinary care and insufficient and untrained staff.<ref name ="PETA" /> These complaints were partially based on a Consent Decision and Order from the [[United States Department of Agriculture]] for willful violations of the [[Animal Welfare Act of 1966|Animal Welfare Act]]. In its decision, the USDA claimed that the park repeatedly failed to provide adequate veterinary care, safe enclosures, clean food, clean shelter, and trained employees. The park also failed to maintain records and to keep animals safely constrained to avoid injuries to the public. The park was fined $25,000 and their USDA display permit was suspended. The park's USDA license was reinstated when it complied with USDA regulations.<ref name="USDA" />


The 2020 [[Netflix]] original documentary series ''[[Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness]]'' was centered on [[Joe Exotic]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness|url=https://www.netflix.com/title/81115994|publisher=Netflix|access-date=March 13, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Julie|last=Miller|title=Netflix's Wild Tiger King Is Your Next True Crime TV Obsession|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/03/netflix-tiger-king-trailer-joe-exotic|work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|date=March 10, 2020|access-date=March 13, 2020}}</ref> The park received thousands of visitors following the release of the documentary. However, Oklahoma Governor [[Kevin Stitt]] required that all non-essential businesses close because of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. On March 31, 2020, the [[Garvin County, Oklahoma]] sheriff said the park had closed to visitors in compliance with the governor's order to shut down nonessential business.<ref name="GWZtempclosing">{{Cite news |last=Yuhas |first=Alan and Cramer, Maria |url=https://www.nytimes.com/article/tiger-king-updates.html |title=What Happened After 'Tiger King' |date=April 2, 2020 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 4, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The park reopened the first weekend in May after the restrictions were relaxed.<ref name="peoplemay2020" />
Between February and June 2006 [[PETA]] had an investigator go into CW Exotic Animal Foundation and the following were his findings of Animal Cruelty<ref name ="PETA" /><ref name="peta.org">http://www.peta.org/features/gw-investigator-log-cruelty.aspx</ref>
<blockquote>
<BR>
<Br>
Animals were routinely hit, punched, kicked, sprayed with cold water, struck with rakes and shovels, and blasted with fire extinguishers to break up frequent fights.
<br>
<br>
'''February 27:''' Watched [C1] pick up a chicken by the hind legs and swing the animal around.
<br>
<br>
'''February 28:''' [R] and [C2] were throwing rocks in the direction of pigs, rams, goats and deer. … They also grabbed sheep by the horns and tossed the animals' heads around by their horns..
<br>
<br>
'''March 10:''' [J1] came down, and grabbed a lamb … by the horns and dragged it to the cage that held the female lion. He used the lamb as bait to get the lion up. She did get up, and charged the fence, [terrifying] the lamb …. He ran off as soon as [J1] let go of his horns, visibly very shaken.
<br>
<br>
'''March 24:''' [D1] hosed [the tiger] down with cold water to get him to move. … He cowered in his house trying to avoid getting wet for several minutes but got soaking wet.
<br>
<br>
'''March 25:''' [P] pulled the goat violently by his horns. … He then gave the goat a kick in the butt as he threw him into the enclosure.
<br>
<br>
'''March 30:''' [Several employees] went down to see the horse who was donated several days ago. When we got to him, he was a terribly heartbreaking sight. He was lying down, barely able to move. He had an enormous open sore on his back left leg, where hundreds of flies were eating away at him. There were flies buzzing around his whole body. There were two other sores on his face that flies were eating at as well. He was barely clinging to life, what life was left in him was engulfed in severe pain and suffering. … They said we have to wait until tomorrow night to shoot him, by "[J1]'s orders." We won't be calling the vet; he will be shot with a gun by [D1] and then fed to the tigers.


Later in 2020, after hearing the rumors of [[paranormal]] activity at the park in the Netflix documentary, the crew of ''[[Ghost Adventures]]'' investigated here for their Halloween special.<ref>{{cite news|last=Seemayer|first=Zach|url=https://www.etonline.com/ghost-adventures-star-zak-bagans-on-uncovering-the-horror-at-tiger-king-joe-exotics-zoo-exclusive|title='Ghost Adventures' Star Zak Bagans on Uncovering the Horror at 'Tiger King' Joe Exotic's Zoo (Exclusive)|date=October 29, 2020|work=Entertainment Tonight|access-date=October 30, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ghost Adventures - Season 0, Episode 97 - Horror at Joe Exotic Zoo|url=https://www.travelchannel.com/shows/ghost-adventures/episodes/horror-at-joe-exotic-zoo|publisher=Travel Channel|access-date=October 30, 2020}}</ref>
'''March 30:''' [D1] said that if there was [a tornado], we would get out the guns so that we could start shooting any animals whose gates gave way. … Later in the day, there were three spots where it looked like one would touch down within a few miles of us, and [D1] was walking around with a handgun.
<br>
<br>
'''March 31:''' As we passed the [injured] goose, I said I was going to get him his food and water. … [P] said to just let him starve, it was only a goose. … We got into another huge argument over it, and at one point he said, "I'll go slit its throat and throw it in the dead hole." … I started to bring the dishes back to the goose, but when I got close, [M2] … told me the goose was dead. I … immediately [felt sure] that [P] had killed him.


In the documentary ''[[Louis Theroux: Shooting Joe Exotic]]'', released in April 2021, documentarian [[Louis Theroux]] is given a tour of the vacant and heavily vandalized park by Carole Baskin and her husband Howard Baskin.<ref name=Theroux>{{Cite web|last=McMahon|first=James|date=2021-04-06|title=Four key takeaways from 'Louis Theroux: Shooting Joe Exotic'|url=https://www.nme.com/features/louis-theroux-shooting-joe-exotic-key-takeaways-2914882|access-date=2021-04-12|website=[[NME]]|language=en-GB}}</ref>
'''April 4:''' [J1] had trouble shifting a few mountain lions at one point, so he picked up gravel from their cage and pelted them with it. They cringed in fear and ran the other way.
<br>
<br>
'''April 4:''' Each white tiger was in a cage with one orange female, and one of them started fighting a good amount. Their fur flew all over the cage as they leapt and swatted at each other. [J1] once again pelted them with gravel and water to get them to move where he wanted.
<br>
<br>
'''April 4:''' [J1] went into the cage with all the cats with a rake and shovel, hitting the cats on their heads and faces with the rake and shovel to back them up. … They all ran away from him in fear as he swung the shovel over his head wildly.


==References==
'''April 4:''' [J1] swatted the animal with the rake in the face, and the cat ran to the other side of the catch pen. … [J1] slammed [another tiger] in the face with the rake.
{{Reflist}}
<br>
<br>
'''April 18:''' We moved four different bears today. … [Tripoli the bear] was busy trying to eat some bamboo and excited to be out of the cage that she is always in, so she was exploring her new surroundings. [J1] walked up to her and swung the rake so it hit her in the side of the head.


==External links==
'''April 26:''' A lot of wild baby birds were stolen from their nests in order to be fed to the snakes. … These baby birds were so tiny that they could be cupped right in the palm of a hand, and as they were stolen from their nests, they constantly squirmed and tried to flap their tiny wings, which were barely developed. [B] said that the mother birds were dive-bombing him and attacking him.
*{{Official website}}
*[https://email.nationalgeographic.com/H/2/v40000016fd42e8e529b5c766e96c660c0/dbc6062c-a4ba-4b33-ae3b-cb86112d1e17/HTML National Geographic article on Joe Exotic]{{dead link|date=November 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
*[https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2019/11/tigers-in-the-united-states-outnumber-those-in-the-wild-feature/?rid=CC8D94CAC95F51BE9F5A4B4F2D84467D A study of captive tigers by National Geographic]{{dead link|date=November 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}


{{Zoos of Oklahoma}}
'''May 2:''' The two newest baby tigers, who were born just [before J1 left] on this last road trip, were taken to get declawed today. They are just a few weeks old and have been on the road being handled by [the public] since they were just a few days old.
{{Tiger King}}

'''May 15:''' In order to get some mountain lions to shift, [D1] soaked one of them for a good few minutes with the water hose.
<br>
<br>
'''May 17:''' At the end of the night, [J1] said that tomorrow he will pick up some rat poison that looks like bird seed to put up on the roofs of the buildings. He wants to kill off a majority of the sparrows to get rid of the bird poop problem.
<br>
<br>
'''May 30:''' [M1] … said that there was an emu that he was going to shoot and feed to the cats in the back because he had huge wounds on his face and had flesh hanging down from his throat. It was assumed that he stuck his head in a cage in the back and had been clawed. … [M1] was bragging that last night he shot a feral cat. … He then said that he was probably going to shoot Oreo [the goat]. … I think [M1] just likes to shoot living creatures.
<br>
<br>
'''June 1:''' [M1] came by, holding a live chicken upside-down that he had caught on the grounds. He used this extremely frightened chicken as "bait" as he said. He shook him violently at the faces of the lions to keep them in the cage.
<br>
<br>
'''June 1:''' [M1] continuously swung the shovel at the white tiger, hitting him a few times.
<br>
<br>
'''June 5:''' [M1] started hitting [the 7-month-old tigers] in the face. … [M1 often] hit these poor cats, and threw them around like they were stuffed animals. … More than once, he grabbed a cat by the tail and dragged him or swung him around.
<br>
<br>
'''June 8:''' [M1] started getting pretty frustrated and angry with [the cats], and he hit them on the head with his hand a few times. … He then picked up the rifle and was trying to hit the cats on the head with the butt of the gun. He first hit the lion in the head with the gun. … [H]e hit the tiger very hard on the head with the gun. Throughout this whole time, [M1] is yelling at the cats, calling them "the two fucking idiots." … [M1] took a piece of bamboo that was lying there and was poking a cat in the face. At one point, he poked him right in the eye.
<br>
<br>
'''June 11:''' [M1] caught a chicken in the morning, and tied him up in the catch pen as a lure [for Lacara the black leopard], so that when Lacara grabbed the chicken, the catch pen door would swing shut. … Later on … Lacara was in the catch pen … the trap had worked.<ref name="peta.org"/></blockquote>

And the investigators findings on [[neglect]]:
<br>
<br>
<br>
<blockquote>
PETA found dead, dying, and injured animals as well as incompatible animals who attacked and harassed one another.
<br>
<br>
'''March 13:''' The 1-month-old lion was in the cage up front again today. Again, he seemed very upset and was crying out a lot. … The little cub had no water all morning and most of the afternoon.
<br>
<br>
'''March 13:''' One of the tiger cubs that had sustained puncture wounds from a male tiger right after birth died this morning due to the injuries. … I'm sure that he was in great pain [and I believe that he was] not euthanized due to the money that the baby cub would bring the park.
<br>
<br>
'''March 16:''' There are two baby lions [Floppy and Casey], just over a month old, that [J1] left at the park for the "play cages," where customers can get in … and play with them. They both have the deformed paws [possibly] from the mother's malnutrition during pregnancy. … At one point, Floppy's paws started bleeding a lot—they had opened up where she was declawed. … Floppy was crying and screeching in pain. Employees stood around joking about it.
<br>
<br>
'''March 19:''' Todd, a fox, lives in an outdoor cage. … It was chilly and pouring out all day, and Todd was shivering and seemed upset.
<br>
<br>
'''March 21:''' [L]ast Wednesday, they found one of the park's deer dead in an enclosure. [S1] said he basically had defecated himself to death because he had eaten bad food or something like that.
<br>
<br>
'''March 23:''' Roo, a wallaby, died today. … When he was found, he was lying in the pond that is in his enclosure. It was near freezing temperatures, and people were hypothesizing that he had gotten stuck in the mud around the pond, fell in the freezing water, and died from hypothermia. [J1 said] that he found another wallaby, and he will be here in a few weeks. He will probably keep the same sign and pretend he's the same animal.
<br>
<br>
'''March 25:''' One of the caged raccoons is seriously injured, [possibly] from fighting with another raccoon in her cage. … There was a gash in her side about 2 to 3 inches wide and very deep. [F] said that when she moved you could see her intestines.
<br>
<br>
'''March 25:''' One of the baby bears that was on the road show died, within the last day or so. … [I suspect that] his death was due to being pulled from his mother at such a young age, working extremely long hours, and lack of nutrition.
<br>
<br>
'''March 29:''' Elmo, a grey fox, had been just laying there not eating or moving. … His ears were infested with mites and he had several ticks on him.
<br>
<br>
'''April 1:''' Toward the end of the night, there was a pig who was found to be dead … in the pasture.
<br>
<br>
'''April 3:''' Two tiger cubs and two bear cubs all died while on the road. … [S2] said today that she thought it may have been stress that killed them.
<br>
<br>
'''April 7:''' Today, there was a fight among the lions. … Dylan is obviously hurt; he had several puncture wounds in his legs and one on his testicles. He could barely walk—these were deep punctures. … [J1] didn't seem too concerned and did not seem like he was going to get veterinary care for Dylan.
<br>
<br>
'''April 13:''' [The neighbors] said occasionally when they go out to feed their horses, they see a monkey sitting out there, and he asked if we lost a monkey. [D1] said yes, [F] had lost one a handful of months ago. … He was donated to the park by someone, and this guy came to visit his monkey very frequently. [D1] said that they told him that his monkey had died.
<br>
<br>
'''April 14:''' Keegan, a 10-week-old bear cub died last night. … [J1] told me that Keegan had so many [kidney] stones in his penis that his kidney burst, and when the vet cut him open, urine poured out everywhere.
<br>
<br>
'''April 20:''' Humphrey, the camel, almost hung himself in his cage. … This is because of unsafe living quarters.
<br>
<br>
'''April 20:''' The four big bears that we moved to the back are not adjusting too well at all. … Honey was still pacing next to the fence wall in the same spot she has been in, and Teddy was doing the same thing he was doing a few days ago—standing in the same place, looked agitated, and pounding his foot into the ground.
<br>
<br>
'''April 21:''' Honey and Teddy are two of the bears we moved a few days ago. Honey does not allow Teddy to move too much—she always backs him up into his house. He tried to come out to get a drink of water today, but she acted mad and drove him back.
<br>
<br>
'''April 26:''' JoJo (male chimp) and Peanut (male baboon) are still fighting back and forth with each other. … This has been going on for a long time now, and they are obviously too incompatible to be within reaching distance of each other.
<br>
<br>
'''April 28:''' [Honey] is a nursing mother wolf [hybrid]. She is extremely skinny, and her ribs show through. She seems very unhealthy.
<br>
<br>
'''April 29:''' Last week, it got too cold for [the skunks], and one of them was found dead. [J2] said that when they found him, he was already half decayed.
<br>
<br>
'''May 17:''' [Two tigers] have ringworm, but they still do the play cages. I asked [K] if they tell people that these animals have an extremely contagious fungus, and she said no. She said that if a customer sees it and asks what it is, they tell them that the cat was rubbing against the cage/AstroTurf so much that they lost their hair in that spot.
<br>
<br>
'''May 23:''' Two new lynxes were brought in today, but they came from Russia—a four-day trip with no food or no water. One of them was dead when they arrived, and the other was barely clinging to life.
<br>
<br>
''May 27:'' In the catch pen where [the tiger] was kept for [20 hours], in the 100-degree heat, there was no water for him to drink. … [W]hen I shift[ed] him back, he [ran] straight for the water trough. He proceeded to take about a five-minute-long drink.
<br>
<br>
'''May 27:''' There were four baby raccoons who were only a few weeks old. [J1] took three and keeps them on the road. [L] took the fourth one and put him in the medical building, but didn't tell anybody. It was discovered today that the poor baby raccoon had been stuck in there for a few days with no food and no water.
<br>
<br>
'''June 8:''' [Two bears] had been stuck in half of their cage for around 24 hours in 100-degree weather with absolutely no access to water. … I let them into the side with the water dishes. They both took a drink for about five minutes.<ref>http://www.peta.org/features/gw-investigator-log-neglect.aspx</ref>

</blockquote>

==Other activities==

G.W. Exotic is licensed by the State of Oklahoma as a rendering facility.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.ok.gov/~okag/food/foodsafety-prts.pdf |title= Rendering Licenses |accessdate 23 February 2010}}</ref> President Joe Schreibvogel, uses the stage name Joe Exotic at offsite appearances in a show entitled “Mystical Magic of the Endangered” at which he displays baby wild animals.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://nwitimes.com/news/local/article_f98db721-5f7c-5b3c-97a6-cdee1ee873bf.html|title=PETA objects to exotic animal exhibit at mall|date=June 29, 2007|accessdate 23 February 2010}}</ref>

==Location==
G.W. Exotic Animal Memorial Park is located between [[Oklahoma City]] and [[Dallas]], just off I-35.

==References==
{{Reflist}}


{{Authority control}}
== External links ==
* [http://www.gwpark.org G.W. Animal Park Official Website]
* [http://www.tigercubabuse.com Tiger Cub Abuse Fact Sheet on Joe Schreibvogel and G.W. Exotics]
* [http://newsblaze.com/story/2010020200040700018.tf/topstory.html News Blaze - G.W. Exotic Animal Park Devastated by Ice Storm]


[[Category:Roadside attractions in Oklahoma]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gw Exotic Animal Foundation}}
[[Category:Animal welfare organizations]]
[[Category:Animal sanctuaries]]
[[Category:Roadside attractions in the United States]]
[[Category:Zoos in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Zoos in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Former zoos]]
[[Category:Oklahoma culture]]
[[Category:Oklahoma culture]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Garvin County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Garvin County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Organizations based in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:1999 establishments in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:2020 disestablishments in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1999]]
[[Category:Organizations disestablished in 2020]]
[[Category:Demolished buildings and structures in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Animal cruelty incidents]]
[[Category:Tiger King]]
[[Category:Zoos disestablished in the 2020s]]
[[Category:Educational organizations disestablished in 2020]]

Latest revision as of 05:54, 17 November 2024

Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park
Map
34°37′32″N 97°12′40″W / 34.62556°N 97.21111°W / 34.62556; -97.21111
Date opened1999 (1999)
Date closedAugust 18, 2020
LocationWynnewood, Oklahoma, U.S.
Land area16 acres (6.5 ha)
No. of animals700
No. of species50
OwnerJoe Exotic (1999–2018)
Jeff Lowe (2018–2020)
Location
Map

The Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park, alternatively known as the G.W. Zoo, Tiger King Park and formerly the Garold Wayne Exotic Animal Memorial Park,[1] was an animal park displaying predominantly tigers and other big cats in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, United States. The park garnered substantial public attention due to the 2020 Netflix documentary series Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness, which focused on park founder and owner Joe Exotic.

History

[edit]
Taliger at the G. W. Zoo, pictured in 2013

Situated on 16 acres (6.5 ha), the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park began as a shelter for endangered and exotic species of animals, and was home to over fifty species of animals and 200 big cats, such as tigers, lions, pumas, ligers and tigons. It was originally established as the Garold Wayne Exotic Animal Memorial Park in 1999 by Joe Exotic and dedicated to the memory of his brother, Garold Wayne Schreibvogel, who had died in a car crash in 1997.[1][2] The park was known by multiple names over the years, including the G.W. Exotic Animal Memorial Foundation[3] and the Garold Wayne Interactive Zoological Foundation.[4]

In 2010, G.W. Exotic Animal Memorial Foundation created Big Cat Rescue Entertainment Group, Inc.[5] Big Cat Rescue Corp.,[6] an animal sanctuary based in Tampa, Florida, filed suit against them, claiming the name and logo similarities were used to damage their reputation and cause confusion;[7] the Tampa sanctuary's founder, Carole Baskin, had previously been a critic of the practices at Joe Exotic's park.[8][9][10][11] The defendants counter-claimed, stating that Big Cat Rescue had caused them financial loss. In February 2013, a judge rejected the counter-claim and Exotic agreed to a consent decree of approximately US$1 million.[12] The park filed for bankruptcy and remained open to the public.[7] A new park, The Garold Wayne Interactive Zoological Foundation, was incorporated shortly after the suit.[4] The entity G.W. Exotic Animal Memorial Foundation was dissolved and its assets, but not liabilities, were transferred to The Garold Wayne Interactive Zoological Foundation. Big Cat Rescue again filed suit on the premise that the new park was a successor to the first park and had the same personnel, income, assets, property, and overall business. In 2016, The Garold Wayne Interactive Zoological Foundation was determined liable and ordered to pay US$1,028,000 and interest.[13]

In 2011, the park was issued a rendering facility license by the State of Oklahoma.[14]

In 2016, Jeff Lowe purchased the park from Exotic, but left him in charge of daily operations.[9] Lowe, a businessman, had previously been convicted of mail fraud, and had run afoul of local authorities in Beaufort, South Carolina, in 2015 for exhibiting big cats at his liquidation store without appropriate permits.[15]

Lowe increased the zoo's menagerie from 29 animals in 2017 to 212 in 2020, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) records show; the zoo then had bears, lemurs and monkeys in addition to exotic cats.[16] In 2019, Lowe announced plans to close the park and move the animals to a new location near Thackerville, Oklahoma.[9]

The Wynnewood park was renamed "Tiger King Park" and was reopened in early May 2020 after a brief closure during the COVID-19 pandemic.[17][18]

In May 2020, federal judge Scott Palk of the Western District Court of Oklahoma gave ownership of the park to Baskin after ruling that Exotic fraudulently transferred ownership to his mother to avoid paying debts incurred as a result of Baskin's suit. The judge ordered Lowe to vacate the park within 120 days and remove all animals.[19] In June, the USDA found that many animals at the park were suffering from flystrike, and on August 17, the agency suspended Lowe's exhibitor's license for 21 days, alleging poor veterinary care. Citing the incipient transfer of ownership, Lowe permanently shut down the park on August 18 rather than contesting the suspension.[16][20]

After Lowe's departure, Baskin decided to sell the property with deed restrictions prohibiting the keeping of exotic animals.[19] Baskin found the park to be heavily vandalized with rotting meat and graffiti referencing the disappearance of Don Lewis; Lowe denied responsibility for the damage.[21][22] Lowe relocated the animals to the Thackerville property, intending to open a new park there, but the U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit citing Lowe's history of poor animal care; the park never opened and federal authorities seized all 68 cats in May 2021.[23]

Controversies

[edit]

Between February and June 2006, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), an animal rights organization, investigated the park by having someone work at the park as an employee and obtain video footage of the animals and conditions, which PETA published. PETA alleged that animals were starved and "routinely hit, punched, kicked, sprayed with cold water, and struck with rakes and shovels."[24][25] In 2011, the park's director filed a police report alleging that the employee illegally obtained access to the director's computer and copied files.[26]

In 2012, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) released a report from an undercover investigation. HSUS claimed that five tigers died during the period of their investigation, one of which did not receive veterinary care.[27][28][29]

In May 2014, the USDA cited the park for failure to provide adequate veterinary care. According to officials, an injured bear's wound reopened after a stitching, and an employee attempted to re-stitch it. The injury subsequently worsened and the bear was euthanized.[30]

Large animals, including horses, were sometimes donated to the park and would be killed to feed the big cats.[1]

On October 6, 2017, Joe Exotic's husband, Travis Maldonado, fatally shot himself in the head. The shooting occurred in the business office while the park was open. The Garvin County Sheriff ruled that the shooting was accidental.[31][32]

In September 2018, Exotic was indicted by a federal grand jury, and arrested by the FBI, for attempting to hire a hitman to murder Carole Baskin.[33][34] On April 2, 2019, following a jury trial in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, Exotic was convicted of 19 counts: two counts of murder-for-hire, eight violations of the Lacey Act and nine of the Endangered Species Act.[9][34] On January 22, 2020, he was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison.[10]

Between 2017 and the closure of the park in August 2020, Lowe was under investigation by the USDA for failure to provide adequate veterinary care and ensure adequate separation between animals and visitors. The USDA also alleged that Lowe submitted falsified veterinary records to the agency indicating approval by the park's staff veterinarian after she had resigned in 2018.[16] By mid-2020, the Garvin County Sheriff was also conducting several investigations into allegations of animal abuse, unlawful disposal of animal carcasses, and environmental violations at the park.[35]

In December 2019, the Oklahoma Tax Commission placed a tax lien against the park property for unpaid sales taxes from 2016, and denied the park's tax permit renewal in May 2020. A park employee alleged that Lowe had ceased sales tax payments soon after taking over the park in 2016 and had continued operations later in 2020 without a valid tax permit.[35] In June, the Tax Commission initiated a lawsuit against the park in the Garvin County District Court, claiming that Lowe owed $50,274 in delinquent sales tax from prior years.[36] In September after the park's permanent closure, Lowe settled the case, agreeing to pay up to $113,653 in restitution.[37]

Documentaries

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The park features heavily in a 2011 documentary, Louis Theroux: America's Most Dangerous Pets.

The 2020 Netflix original documentary series Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness was centered on Joe Exotic.[38][39] The park received thousands of visitors following the release of the documentary. However, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt required that all non-essential businesses close because of the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 31, 2020, the Garvin County, Oklahoma sheriff said the park had closed to visitors in compliance with the governor's order to shut down nonessential business.[40] The park reopened the first weekend in May after the restrictions were relaxed.[17]

Later in 2020, after hearing the rumors of paranormal activity at the park in the Netflix documentary, the crew of Ghost Adventures investigated here for their Halloween special.[41][42]

In the documentary Louis Theroux: Shooting Joe Exotic, released in April 2021, documentarian Louis Theroux is given a tour of the vacant and heavily vandalized park by Carole Baskin and her husband Howard Baskin.[43]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Moor, Robert (September 3, 2019). "American Animals Joe Exotic bred lions, tigers, and ligers at his roadside zoo. He was a modern Barnum who found an equally extraordinary nemesis". New York. Intelligencer. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
  2. ^ Gajanan, Mahita (March 20, 2020). "The Wild Story Behind Netflix's New Docuseries Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness". Time.
  3. ^ "G.W. EXOTIC ANIMAL MEMORIAL FOUNDATION (1999)".
  4. ^ a b "THE GAROLD WAYNE INTERACTIVE ZOOLOGICAL FOUNDATION (2013)".
  5. ^ "BIG CAT RESCUE ENTERTAINMENT GROUP INC. (2010)".
  6. ^ "BIG CAT RESCUE CORP. (2003)".
  7. ^ a b "'Joe Exotic' ordered to pay Florida animal sanctuary $1 million". March 2, 2013. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  8. ^ Williams, Sean (June 22, 2019). "Joe Exotic Built a Wild Animal Kingdom. He Was the Most Dangerous Predator of Them All". www.thedailybeast.com.
  9. ^ a b c d Clay, Nolan (April 3, 2019). "Joe Exotic found guilty in murder-for-hire case". The Oklahoman. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  10. ^ a b "'Joe Exotic' sentenced to 22 years in federal prison on murder-for-hire, wildlife charges". ABC Koco News 5. January 22, 2020. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  11. ^ Garcia, Sandra E. (January 22, 2020). "Former Zookeeper Sentenced to 22 Years in Murder-for-Hire Plot". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  12. ^ "Big Cat Rescue Corp. v. Big Cat Rescue Entertainment Group, Inc.; No. 8:12-CV-02381... | 20130520856| Consent Final Judgment and Permanent Injunction". Leagle.com. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  13. ^ "Big Cat Rescue Corp v. GW Exotic Memorial Animal Foundation; Memorandum Opinion and Order". Leagle.com. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  14. ^ "Rendering Licenses" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 21, 2015. Retrieved February 23, 2010.
  15. ^ Lurye, Rebecca (April 30, 2015). "Beaufort big cat owner has fraud conviction on his record". www.islandpacket.com.
  16. ^ a b c "Jeff Lowe's Zoo Suspension Due to Poor Veterinary Care Allegations". TMZ. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  17. ^ a b Todisco, Eric (May 6, 2020). "Tiger King Fans Flock to Joe Exotic's Zoo for its Reopening After Coronavirus Shutdown". People.
  18. ^ "corpInformation". www.sos.ok.gov.
  19. ^ a b Cluiss, Caroline (October 8, 2020). "Carole Baskin takes over Tiger King Zoo". KXII. Sherman, Texas. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  20. ^ Ushe, Naledi (August 19, 2020). "'Tiger King' zoo officially closes its doors following Jeff Lowe's license suspension". FOXBusiness. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  21. ^ "Carole Baskin's Zoo Once Owned By Joe Exotic Vandalized with Graffiti, Trash". TMZ. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  22. ^ Hill, Janice (November 25, 2020). "Tiger King zoo vandalized with graffiti, rotting meat | Latest News & Headlines". Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  23. ^ Clay, Nolan (May 23, 2021). "Federal authorities raid Tiger King Park in Thackerville , seize remaining big cats". The Oklahoman. Oklahoma City. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  24. ^ "G.W. Exotic Animal Memorial Park Investigator's Log—Neglect". People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Retrieved June 23, 2011.
  25. ^ "Oklahoma Pseudo-Sanctuary: Shelter From Danger or Dangerous Shelter?". People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  26. ^ Surette, Rusty (January 11, 2011). "PETA Allegedly Paid Man To 'Spy, Download Information' From Exotic Animal Park". news9.com. Retrieved July 28, 2011.
  27. ^ Armen Keteyian (May 16, 2012). "Alleged abuse at GW Memorial Park seen on tape". CBS News. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  28. ^ "'If they walk in here and take my animals away, it's going to be a small Waco':Joe Exotics pledge after being accused". Humane Society of the United States. May 16, 2012. Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  29. ^ "Reckless Tiger Cub Petting Zoo: The Humane Society of the United States Investigates GW Exotic Animal Park" (PDF) (PDF). Humane Society of the United States. May 22, 2012. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  30. ^ "G.W. Interactive Zoological Park under fire for alleged animal mistreatment". kxii.com. May 22, 2014. Archived from the original on May 24, 2014. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  31. ^ Keeping, Juliana (October 7, 2017). "Shooting death at Wynnewood zoo under investigation". The Oklahoman. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
  32. ^ "Sheriff: Oklahoma zookeeper's husband accidentally shot self". Associated Press. KXII News 12. October 10, 2017. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  33. ^ Clay, Nolan; Wallace, Josh (September 7, 2018). "Joe Exotic, former Oklahoma gubernatorial candidate, indicted, accused in murder-for-hire plot". The Oklahoman. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  34. ^ a b "Joe Exotic" Convicted of Murder-for-Hire and Violating Both the Lacey Act and Endangered Species Act, United States Department of Justice (April 2, 2019).
  35. ^ a b Porterfield, Barry (August 5, 2020). "Outrage turns to zoo's real story". Pauls Valley, Oklahoma: Pauls Valley Democrat. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  36. ^ Clay, Nolan (August 24, 2020). "'Tiger King' star Joe Exotic takes feud with former business partner Jeff Lowe to court again". USA Today. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  37. ^ Clay, Nolan (September 28, 2020). ""Tiger King" star settles tax case". Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: The Oklahoman. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  38. ^ "Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness". Netflix. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  39. ^ Miller, Julie (March 10, 2020). "Netflix's Wild Tiger King Is Your Next True Crime TV Obsession". Vanity Fair. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  40. ^ Yuhas, Alan and Cramer, Maria (April 2, 2020). "What Happened After 'Tiger King'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 4, 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  41. ^ Seemayer, Zach (October 29, 2020). "'Ghost Adventures' Star Zak Bagans on Uncovering the Horror at 'Tiger King' Joe Exotic's Zoo (Exclusive)". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  42. ^ "Ghost Adventures - Season 0, Episode 97 - Horror at Joe Exotic Zoo". Travel Channel. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  43. ^ McMahon, James (April 6, 2021). "Four key takeaways from 'Louis Theroux: Shooting Joe Exotic'". NME. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
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