WYNNEWOOD, Okla. (AP) — The Oklahoma zoo featured in Netflix's "Tiger King" documentary has closed after federal authorities investigated it for alleged maltreatment of animals and suspended its license.
The Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park closed to the public after the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Monday suspended Jeff Lowe's exhibitor license.
Lowe, who's the current owner of the zoo, posted on Facebook that they would no longer "exhibit animals to the public."
"I no longer want to exhibit animals to the public," the Facebook post read. "We have been contemplating this for weeks. I will still allow my lawyers to prove the USDA is dead wrong. And BTW, the USDA didn’t take my license. They issued a 21 days suspension. Day 22, I could open right back up if I wanted. I don’t want to. The animals are now in private hands and will remain in private hands."
The zoo, previously run by Joseph Maldonado-Passage, also known as Joe Exotic, became famous after being featured in Netflix's "Tiger King" docuseries.
KFOR-TV reports that local and federal authorities investigated the zoo after receiving a formal report that documented photos showing a lion with its ears covered in flies and another with the tips of its ears covered in blood.
