The zoo from Tiger King has closed its doors to the public for good, current owner Jeff Lowe has announced.
The zoo, which has the full name The Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park, was at the centre of Netflix’s hit series and viewers saw Lowe and his wife Lauren take over the operation when Joe Exotic was jailed.
Despite their best attempts to keep the business going in the face of scrutiny over the welfare of the wildlife kept there, the couple has announced that the park has shut with immediate effect.
A Facebook post from the zoo reads: “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 nutjob 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.
“As of today, we have decided to close the old zoo effective immediately.”
Lowe also says that he has forfeited his USDA exhibitors license.
“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,” he adds.
“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.”
Animal rights group Peta (People for the ethical treatment of animals) has frequently raised concerns over the zoo and on Tuesday noted that Lowe’s exhibitors license appeared to have been revoked.
In June, a USDA inspection ordered Lowe to seek medical attention for a young lion cub.
He has consistently denied that the hundreds of animals in his care have been mistreated.
The zoo previously closed due to the coronavirus pandemic but reopened in May.
As well as being home to tigers, the 16-acre location also holds animals including various hybrid species, wolves and bears.
A second series of Tiger King is reportedly in the works but Carole Baskin, whose war with Joe Exotic was a prominent aspect of the first season, has stated she will not be taking part.
A fictional retelling of the story is also in the works, with Nicholas Cage previously being tipped to play zoo founder Exotic.
