Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/joe-exotic-rescue/

An Arkansas wildlife refuge center Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, California exotic animal rescue Lions Tigers & Bears, and Oakland Zoo were the ones who teamed up to rescue a lion and three tigers, one of which is said to be a hybrid, from an abandoned drive-thru zoo in Oklahoma.

You all remember the viral show that entertained the world around the time that lockdowns happened? Tiger King’s Joe Exotic, the controversial man with some questionable business decisions, so to say.

Reportedly, the big cats were once used in an establishment that catered to the public and were offered for cub petting and photo opportunities. The zoo, cited and closed by the USDA in 2008 for multiple animal safety and welfare violations, and its owner have ties to Joe Exotic, officials said.

“When a concerned Oklahoma resident called us to help these big cats, who have endured so much suffering, there was no question that we would step in and give them the homes and care they deserve, at Oakland Zoo and our partnering sanctuaries, for the remainder of their lives,” said Oakland Zoo’s CEO Nik Dehejia.

According to the zoo, all four rescued cats are female and some are declawed. The lion, now under the care of Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, is old and arthritic. The tiger hybrid stayed with the Oakland Zoo and was found in poor condition, had bowed legs, and had an infected tooth that caused facial deformity. The remaining tigers are both energetic, but lean, according to Oakland Zoo. One tiger stayed with the zoo and the other is under the care of Lions Tigers & Bears.

Bobbi Brink, founder of Lions Tigers & Bears, founded the sanctuary “to animals born in captivity and fated to be ignored and abused” and said that “there are major red flags that show these animals were victims of the cub petting industry.” He then added that it was most likely that the cats were bred for profit and once they grew too big for cub petting and photo ops, they were abandoned.

“We’re the animals’ voices, and we need to work toward education and legislation, because each animal rescued makes a difference,” Brink said.

Tanya Smith, President of Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, reported that the cats were found living in small and filthy enclosures. They managed to barely survive because of some good Samaritans, but otherwise, “were left alone, fed inconsistently, and needed veterinary care. We’re so relieved to provide new homes to these animals and help them thrive.” TCWR’s Animal Curator, Emily McCormack, added that. “No animals should suffer or live in the deplorable conditions these animals had to endure. The lioness was subjected to solitude 24×7 for 7 years that we know of. It was simply inhumane.”

Watch the rescue in the video below and see what their new habitat looks like.

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Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog