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Authorities seize 68 big cats from Jeffrey and Lauren Lowe of "Tiger King"



Dozens of exotic cats owned by Jeffery Lowe and his wife, Lauren Lowe, of Netflix's "Tiger King" were confiscated by federal authorities Thursday. Photo courtesy of Tiger King

May 21 (UPI) -- The Justice Department announced authorities have seized dozens of protected felines from an Oklahoma animal theme park run by Jeffrey and Lauren Lowe of the Netflix documentary series Tiger King due to violations of the Endangered Species Act.

The department made the announcement in a statement Thursday, stating the seizure of 68 big cats was performed following three inspections of the Tiger King Park in Thackerville since mid-December that resulted in citations for failing to provide the animals with adequate or timely veterinary care and appropriate nutrition and shelter that protects them from the elements and is of sufficient size.

The couple were also found to be in non-compliance of court orders to maintain a veterinary care program for the animals as is required by the Animal Welfare Act.

"This important animal rescue operation of nearly 70 endangered and allegedly abused lions, tigers and a jaguar shows how effective civil forfeiture can be when utilized in conjunction with statutes like the Endangered Species Act," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department's Criminal Division.

According to the affidavit, prosecutors sought to seize 46 tigers, 15 tiger-lion hybrids, seven tigers and one jaguar that they believe were either "harmed or harassed" as defined as violations of the Endangered Species Act.

The Lowes became known to the public through the 2020 Netflix series and are its most recent stars to have found themselves fall into legal trouble.

In October, Bhagavan "Doc" Antle was charged with animal cruelty and wildlife trafficking in Virginia. And in April of last year, Joseph Maldonado-Passage, better known as Joe Exotic, was sentenced to 22 years in prison for attempting to hire a hit man to kill a man who criticized his exotic cat park.

"This seizure should send a clear message that the Justice Department takes alleged harm to captive-bred animals protected under the Endangered Species Act very seriously," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jean E. Williams of the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division.