The ‘Tiger King’ Zoo Is Closing Down Forever

From Cosmopolitan

• Jeff Lowe announced the Tiger King zoo is permanently closing.

• Carole Baskin offered to help him re-home the animals.

• He’s opening a new zoo in Oklahoma in September.

After much Tiger King–related attention, Jeff Lowe, who took over Joe Exotic’s G. W. Exotic Animal Park, announced he’s shutting down the park for good.

In a since-deleted Facebook post, as reported by People, Jeff wrote:

“The Tiger King phenomenon has definitely changed our lives in many ways. It has brought us more attention than any human deserves, good and bad. It has and probably will continue to make us a target of every nut job and animal rights loon in the world, but we are prepared. It has also provided us with an unfathomable source of income. Income that will guarantee the long-term care of our animals and allow us to be very selective going forward. Rest assured that all the animals will continue to have excellent care and consequently will no longer be subject to USDA inspections or PETA spies.”

Speaking of those investigations, Jeff claimed the United States Department of Agriculture “folded to the pressures of PETA and continues to make false accusations against me” and suspended his exhibitor’s license for 21 days. Although a USDA report specified that they suspended his license on Monday after a July inspection revealed multiple violations at the zoo.

In another post, Jeff insisted that the closing of the zoo was “a voluntary forfeiture” and added, “Day 22, I could open right back up if I wanted. I don’t want to.”

Carole Baskin, the owner of Big Cat Rescue, offered to help Jeff re-home the animals and ensure they’re placed in proper care. He turned her down, opting to keep the tigers in his new zoo. In September, Jeff will open the Tiger King Park in Thackerville, Oklahoma. So although G. W. is no more, Jeff is still in the tiger business and will film his spin-off show there. He said, “Our new park will, at least for the foreseeable future, be a private film set for Tiger King–related television content for cable and streaming services.”

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