The Oklahoma zoo featured in Netflix documentary series Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness has closed after federal authorities investigated it for alleged maltreatment of animals.
The Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park is currently being run by Jeff Lowe, Joe Exotic's former business partner, and became famous after it was featured in the hit Netflix series earlier this year.
However, the zoo is now closed to the public after the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed that its animal and plant inspection service suspended Lowe's exhibitor licence on Monday (August 17) for 21 days.
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"The facility is closed, and Lowe may not conduct regulated activity during the suspension. After the 21-day suspension, APHIS will evaluate the status of the animals at the facility and determine next steps," a spokesperson said (via The Guardian).
The zoo was investigated after the USDA and the Garvin County Sheriff's Office received a formal report documenting alleged maltreatment of the animals, but in a statement on Tuesday (August 18), Lowe said that his licence had been suspended over a "litany of falsehoods".
In a Facebook post, Lowe said that he had voluntarily given up his USDA exhibitor's licence, adding that after "five consecutive perfect inspections", the USDA has now "folded to the pressures of Peta and continue to make false accusations against me" (via Metro.co.uk).
Related: Tiger King star and PETA in legal battle over Halloween costume
"Suspiciously, less than 24 hours after I contacted the USDA to voluntarily forfeit my license, they notify me that they are suspending my license for 21 days for a litany of falsehoods," he continued.
"Rest assured that all the animals will continue to have excellent care," he added, while sharing his plans to open a new animal park that will act as a private film set.
Related: Tiger King star Jeff Lowe explains why nemesis Carole Baskin "deserves" Joe Exotic's zoo
The news comes a few weeks after a judge ordered control of the zoo be given to Carole Baskin as part of a ruling in a trademark dispute. The ruling meant that the current operators had to be out in 120 days, but a statement from Joe Exotic's legal team declared they intend to challenge this ruling with an appeal.
Joe Exotic is currently serving a 22-year sentence for his involvement in a murder-for-hire plot against Baskin, as well as various animal welfare offences.
Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness is now streaming on Netflix.
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