Joe Exotic’s Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park and the setting of the hit Netflix show Tiger King has been shut down. The exotic animal park, which was taken over by Jeff Lowe, was shut down by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Lowe’s license was suspended by the USDA for 21 days and after the period the Animal and Plant Inspection Service will evaluate the state of the animals and facility before moving forward. Since Lowe took over the animal park, there have been numerous violations ranging from injured animals and food issues to awful living conditions.
In a Facebook post shared and then deleted by Lowe, he gave his side of the story. “As of today, we have decided to close the old zoo effective immediately,” Lowe said. “Due to the permanent closure of the Wynnewood Zoo, I’m forfeiting my USDA exhibitor’s license. The very agency that has given my facility five consecutive perfect inspections, has now folded to the pressure of PETA and continue to make false accusations against me.”
In June, Lowe was also given 120 days to vacate the exotic animal park and remove all animals and Carole Baskin was given control of the zoo.
