Authorities were only authorized to confiscate the big cats because they're protected by the Endangered Species Act. They left the rest of the animals behind.
Burnt animal carcasses and bones SHARK filmed at the Tiger King
zoo
Since December, SHARK has made numerous trips to Thackerville, Oklahoma to film the horrendous conditions at the new "Tiger King," zoo. ABC Action News in Las Vegas did an excellent story on SHARK's work exposing the infamous Jeff and Lauren Lowe, the owners of the zoo.
Watch the full story by award-winning, Chief Investigative Reporter Darcy Spears HERE.
From the story:
The animal protection organization [SHARK] uses technology, like
drones and cameras, to document conditions animals are kept in.
While tracking the animals at Tiger King Park over several months,
they had run-ins with the Lowes.
"When we first flew our drones over his property, his wife [Lauren]
was running around with a pistol," said Hindi, which you can see in
video SHARK posted on YouTube from Jan. 25.
The story also dealt with the federal government coming in and
taking a number of the big cats at the zoo. SHARK was there during
this and filmed the animals being transported.
"We were really interested in what was happening after the
authorities and the rescue party left."
Authorities were only authorized to confiscate the big cats because
they're protected by the Endangered Species Act.
They left the rest of the animals behind.
"There were horses, there was a burro, there were a couple of
ponies, there was the camel, the wolves, there were some
primates..." Hindi says.
SHARK's drone video of the wolves left behind
As for those still on the property, Hindi says, "There were still
quite a few animals there. And they were not getting adequate and
proper care. Somebody was there but they weren't there on a regular
basis."
Of particular concern is a camel, which SHARK filmed sticking his
neck out under his enclosure fence, straining to reach some greenery.
The sad and desperate camel left behind at the zoo
SHARK also filmed multiple dump sites on the zoo's property containing burned animal carcasses and hazardous chemicals. We filed a complaint with the OK Department of Environmental Quality and an inspector went to the site and has ordered the property owner to clean up the violations.
"It was kind of half-burned but it was just loaded with bones and decaying carcasses. And on top of that, just junk, just garbage: cans, bottles, including containers--used containers of oil and bleach--and the remnants of those containers were like a sheen on the standing water."
One of the illegal dump sites SHARK filmed at the zoo
If not for SHARK being there, on the ground at the zoo with our
drones, not only would the plight of the animals left be behind not
be known, but the illegal hazardous dumps sites would fester,
polluting the environment.
Jeff Lowe's son, Taylor, is just as crazed and angry as his dad and
step-mom. He not only tried to shoot down our drone and knock it out
of the sky using another drone, but he also drove his car at us at
high speeds to threaten and intimidate us. As he is just as
incompetent and stupid as his parents are, he failed just as they
did.
Finally, we have to note that both Jeff and Lauren were arrested for
drunk driving! These two losers just screw up everything they do.