According to a press release from the advocacy group Animal Wellness Action, Tiger King star Jeff Lowe was the subject of a raid by U.S. law enforcement agents led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The raid seized an estimated 70 animals and was the second time this month the zoo was raided.
Lowe’s attorney said that him and his wife would resolve a civil complaint by the Justice Department by willingly giving up their tigers.
The complaint covers how the animals are cared for.
At a hearing held on Wednesday, attorney Daniel Card reported that the Lowes “want out completely” after the judge found the couple contempt for violating a previous order regarding the big cats.
After the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park founder, Joe Exotic, was thrown in jail, Lowe and his wife took over the park. After the park shut down in August, they moved to a new facility in Thackerville, OK.
In November 2020, a civil complaint was filed against Lowe for habitual mistreatment and improper handling of animals protected by the Endangered Species Act. An order was issued by Judge John F. Heil III prevented the couple from breeding; handover all of their cubs to the federal government, and no more display of any of their big cats.
In March, Judge Heil caught the Lowes violating his orders and fined them $1,000 a day until they complied.
“They don’t want to fight this anymore. They don’t want to do it,” said Attorney Card told Heil. “They want to give the tigers to a sanctuary of their choice and be done with it.”
