The zoo featured in the hit Netflix documentary Tiger King is under investigation amid allegations of animal neglect.
The Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park in Garvin County, Oklahoma, was formerly owned by Tiger King star Joe Exotic – aka 57-year-old Joseph Allen Maldonado-Passage.
Fans of the Netflix show saw Joe sign over his zoo to fellow documentary subject Jeff Lowe – before Joe himself was arrested and jailed for a string of crimes including animal abuse and a murder for hire plot.
A whistleblower has shared horrifying images of animals still captive in the zoo showing signs of severe neglect – sparking an animal welfare investigation by federal, state and local authorities.
The source handed over images to PETA allegedly from the zoo showing three lions with bloody, open wounds – with one exhibiting severely injured and bloody ears and others showing cuts on their legs.
The injuries are said to be caused by flies laying eggs on the animal skin and subsequent maggots eating the animals’ flesh.
The condition – known as flystrike – can be fatal if left untreated.
Zoo owner, Jeff, told TMZ that treating the animals is a delicate process, telling the outlet that the zoo “spends thousands a month on medications for the lions, tigers and other animals, along with fly repellent.”
He is said to have claimed that “most repellents can also be harmful to the animals ... so they have to be careful.”
TMZ says Jeff is intending to move the animals to a new zoo, called Tiger King Park.
Meanwhile, PETA have petitioned the United States Department of Agriculture to investigate how the animals became so injured.
PETA Foundation Deputy General Counsel for Captive Animal Law Enforcement, Brittany Peet, said in a statement: “The USDA’s inaction allowed ‘Joe Exotic’ to abuse and neglect animals for years, and so far, it’s also failed to help the big cats held by Jeff Lowe.”
She added: “'In the wake of Tiger King, the public eye is on the USDA to do its job and shut Lowe and his despicable roadside zoo down pronto.”
Garvin County Sheriff's Office has confirmed an investigation is under way.
The Sheriff’s office stated on Facebook : “We have requested the USDA, US Fish and Game and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife start their own investigation.
“Based on those complaints, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife has been to the park and has conducted their own inspection.
“The USDA has been to the park and is currently conducting an investigation as well. Animal's that are injured are receiving veterinarian care in isolation and are being monitored by the USDA.”
Away from the investigation, the land on which the current 'Tiger King' zoo is on was recently awarded by a judge to animal rights activist Carole Baskin.
Fans of Tiger King saw Joe jailed partly due to a plot to have Carole murdered
