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
‹
Chatham County Honors Pittsboro Native Drake Powell for 2025 NBA Draft Selection
The Chatham County Board of Commissioners adopted a special resolution Monday evening honoring Pittsboro native Drake Powell on his first-round selection in the 2025 NBA Draft. Powell was selected with the No. 22 overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks and then traded to the Brooklyn Nets in June. Powell starred at Pittsboro’s Northwood High School […]
On the Porch: Rebecca Dickenson - Leading the Chatham Chamber of Commerce
This Week: Rebecca Dickenson is President & CEO of The Chatham Chamber, where she is leading a bold new chapter focused on business growth, regional collaboration, and strategic advocacy. With a strong background in chamber leadership and a track record of building high-impact partnerships, Rebecca works to connect local businesses with the opportunities, resources, and relationships they need to succeed. A UNC-Chapel Hill graduate and lifelong North Carolinian, she brings a values-driven, results-oriented approach to advancing Chatham County’s role in the Triangle’s dynamic economic landscape.
Town of Pittsboro Buys Land on JA Farrell Street for New Town Hall Building
The Pittsboro Board of Commissioners officially approved the purchase of property at 205 JA Farrell Street Monday, with the end goal being to construct a new Town Hall building on the site. The current Pittsboro Town Hall is located at 287 East Street, Suite 221. That site has served as the Town Hall since January […]
Durham Charter School's Orchestra Records Album After Viral Videos Grab Attention
Durham Charter School's orchestra is looking to capitalize on a recent moment of internet fame by sharing more of their songs with the world.
Chatham County Roundup: Pittsboro Mayor Kyle Shipp on Storm Recovery, Land Purchases
Pittsboro Mayor Kyle Shipp spoke with 97.9 the Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, July 16, discussing town news and events. He talked about the damage caused by Tropical Depression Chantal, and a new website the town set up to gather resources for residents who need it. He also discussed a couple of recent land purchases approved by the Town Board, including one near downtown for a new Town Hall, and one near Pittsboro Elementary School that will expand McClanahan Street Park, and more.
On the Porch: Noah Smalls: A Peek Behind the Curtain of the Art World
Noah Smalls is a curator, exhibition designer, gallery director, and consultant committed to advancing equity and social impact in the arts. He currently serves as Director of Exhibitions and Collections Management at the Williams College Museum of Art and as Gallery Director at Rush Arts in Philadelphia.
Local Chef's Episode of 'Chopped' Set to Debut July 8; Restaurant Hosting Watch Party
Chef Sera Cuni — who owns and runs the Root Cellar in Chapel Hill and Pittsboro — recently taped an episode on the hit TV show "Chopped."
A Pittsboro Recording Studio is For Sale — But Don't Expect Its Goals to Change
The Manifold Recording studio and Chatham County property is for sale, and its owners are seeking a buyer with a similar vision to theirs.
Chatham County Roundup: Pittsboro Mayor Kyle Shipp on the Disney Development, ABC Store Opens
Pittsboro Mayor Kyle Shipp spoke with 97.9 the Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, June 24, discussing town news and events. He talked about cooling centers being activated with the extreme temperatures this week. He also gave us the latest on Disney's Asteria development. He talked about the ribbon cutting at a new ABC Store in town, the master planning for a new park, and more.
On the Porch: Steve Rao - Asian-American Leader
This Week: Steve Sandeep Rao, a native of Charleston WV, Steve serves as an At Large Council Member for the Town of Morrisville and served as Mayor Pro Tem from 2015-2017. He served as a Senior Business Development Executive at Alphanumeric Systems, a global tech company headquartered in Raleigh from January 2011 to May 2020 and now serves as Of Counsel and Adviser to State Federal Strategies, where he advises Technology Companies on State and Local Government Business Development Strategy. Council Member Rao is the longest serving Asian-American elected official in NC
›