A North Carolina big cat sanctuary will temporarily care for four animals seized from the private zoo in Oklahoma featured in Netflix’s “Tiger King.”

Carolina Tiger Rescue said in a statement Tuesday that it worked with the U.S. Department of Justice and other accredited animal sanctuaries to rescue 68 big cats from Tiger King Park. The tigers will stay at the Pittsboro sanctuary until the DOJ finds them permanent homes.

“We are glad to see the Department of Justice working hard to better the lives of big cats in captivity, beginning with Tiger King Park,” Pam Fulk, executive director of Carolina Tiger Rescue, said in the statement. “We thank everyone who was involved in this operation.”

The beginnings of the Oklahoma zoo owned by Jeff and Lauren Lowe were the subject of the final episode of the true-crime series “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness.”

As part of a court-approved agreement to resolve a federal complaint against the couple over the animals’ care, the DOJ announced May 20 that federally protected lions, tigers, lion-tiger hybrids and a jaguar would be removed from their park.

The Oklahoman reported Sunday that the last of the animals had been rescued from the zoo, located a few miles north of Oklahoma’s border with Texas.

The civil complaint, filed in November, accused the Lowes of recurring inhumane treatment and improper handling of animals protected by the Endangered Species Act.

Jeff Lowe was a central figure in “Tiger King,” which featured a mullet-wearing zookeeper named Joe Exotic and became a cultural phenomenon last year.

Joe Exotic, a pseudonym for Joseph Maldonado-Passage, is serving a 22-year sentence in federal prison in Texas for his 2020 conviction on charges that he participated in a murder-for-hire plot and violated federal wildlife laws.

 

Photo via the Chatham News + Record.

 

Related Stories
‹
Pittsboro Preschool Employee Facing More Than a Dozen Child Abuse Charges
An employee of the Amazing Explorers Academy preschool at Pittsboro is facing several charges of child abuse as an investigation into her conduct continues. 25-year-old Violetta Wolovich, a Pittsboro resident, was arrested earlier in October and initially charged with seven counts of misdemeanor child abuse involving a child under her care. The Pittsboro Police Department […]
Chatham County Roundup: Pittsboro Mayor Kyle Shipp On Chatham Park South Village
Pittsboro Mayor Kyle Shipp spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, October 13, discussing town news and events. He recapped the town board of commissioners meeting this week, which saw discussion of the design plan for Chatham Park's South Village. He also discussed some recent challenges with Google Fiber contractors, previewed some upcoming town events, and more.
Local Government Meetings: October 12-16, 2026
This week in local government: property valuation in Orange County, Chatham Park in Pittsboro, and Churton Street's future in Hillsborough.
The Morning News: Hedgepeth Trial, Gas Tax, Google Fiber, and UNC-Pitt
In today's news: the Faith Hedgepeth murder trial continues, and UNC football gears up to face no. 25 Pitt.
Local Government Meetings: September 28-October 2, 2026
This week in local government: Tongde Wu officially takes her oath of office as the newest member of the CHCCS school board.
The Morning News: Chatham Vs. Enbridge, 53 CHCCS Applications, UNC Falling
In today's news: Chatham County Commissioners take a stand against the proposed Enbridge natural gas pipeline.
The Morning News: Pittsboro Town Hall, Carrboro Police Chief Retires, UNC Football Arrest
In today's news: Carrboro's police chief is retiring, and a UNC football player is arrested (and another is cited) in a traffic stop Tuesday.
Pittsboro Town Hall Design Draws Criticism for Exterior, Praise for Sustainable Features
The Town of Pittsboro’s future town hall project took its latest step on Monday night, as the Board of Commissioners reviewed the first renderings of the facility.
Chatham County Roundup: Pittsboro Mayor Kyle Shipp Recaps Meeting
Pittsboro Mayor Kyle Shipp spoke with 97. 9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, September 15, discussing town news and events. He recapped the recent board of commissioners meeting, which included an economic development update, an annual update on Chatham Park, discussion of the Downtown Master Plan, and more. The board also received a presentation on the new Town Hall renderings as they continue the process of building a new government center for the town. 
The Evening News: Chapel Hill Vehicle Break-Ins, UNC Football
In today's news: Chapel Hill police warn residents to secure their vehicles after a string of 60 break-ins over the weekend.
›