DOJ files Endangered Species Act complaint against 'Tiger King' star Jeff Lowe - The Department of Justice has filed a new civil complaint against
The Department of Justice has filed a new civil complaint against “Tiger King” star Jeff Lowe that accuses the private zoo keeper of repeated violations of the Endangered Species and Animal Welfare acts, according to authorities.
The complaint names Lowe; his wife, Lauren; the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park LLC; and Tiger King LLC.
“The Lowes’ animals have suffered from and continue to suffer from easily preventable or treatable conditions, which in some cases has caused the untimely death of animals,” the complaint reads. “Indeed, in the last two years, many animals have not been seen and/or treated by a veterinarian at all.”
SHUTTERED 'TIGER KING' ZOO HAS 3 JUVENILE BIG CATS SEIZED BY ANIMAL RESCUERS
After the suspension of his federal license to exhibit big cats, prosecutors said Lowe voluntarily surrendered it for good.
But he allegedly continued to exhibit animals without the license in an attempt to skirt regulators. He also set up a new facility in Thackerville, Okla., with animals removed from the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park, which he lost control of in August.
Many of the violations listed in the DOJ complaint were highlighted previously by whistleblowers and the U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors – whose claims Lowe has long disputed.
