The Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone Taking in ‘Tiger King’ Cats

The 'Tiger King' series on Netflix shocked many by pulling back the curtains on big cat exploitation and trade, and now many of those big cats will be moving to Minnesota.

Last week the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and other federal law enforcement agencies seized 69 protected lions, tigers, lion-tiger hybrids and a jaguar from the infamous Tiger King Park in Wynnewood, Oklahoma.

The big cats are being moved to accredited sanctuaries throughout the United States, including The Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone, MN. They will take in and care for several lions, tigers, and hybrid cats while the U.S. Department of Justice goes through the legal process to seek forfeiture of the animals.

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Since December 2020 authorities have been checking on the welfare of the animals at the park, which is now owned by Jeff and Lauren Lowe, they issued the couple several citations for failing to give the big cats proper veterinary care, nutrition and shelter.

Tammy Thies, Founder and Executive Director of The Wildcat Sanctuary says, "The Endangered Species Act is a federal law designed to protect endangered animals and I, along with the entire accredited sanctuary community, am very relieved that these big cats will receive the care and nutrition they desperately need and deserve."

The Wildcat Sanctuary says that it has also offered to transport and give a permanent home to any of the smaller wild cats that still remain at Tiger King Park.