PETA Claims Wild Things Responsible For Deaths Of 3 Tiger Cubs

TAMPA, FL – PETA has filed an amended complaint to its lawsuit against Dade City’s Wild Things claiming that the zoo caused the death of three newborn tiger cubs when it tried to evade a court-mandated inspection. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals first filed suit against Wild Things in October 2016 following publicity surrounding the wildlife encounter’s opportunity to allow paying visitors to swim with tiger cubs.

In its suit, PETA said prematurely separating tiger cubs from their mothers and forcing them to swim with paying members of the public violates the Endangered Species Act’s prohibition on harming or harassing protected wildlife.

PETA also accused the privately owned wildlife park of failing to provide adequate housing for the tigers.

The court subsequently ordered Wild Things to allow PETA to inspect its facility and observe a swimming encounter with a tiger cub on July 20, 2017. But before the inspection could take place, Wild Things shipped 19 of its 24 tigers to Oklahoma. During the 1,200-mile trip, one of the tigers gave birth to three cubs, all of which died on the journey.

PETA asserted that shipping the tigers to Oklahoma was an attempt by Wild Things to evade the court-ordered inspection and asked the court to hold Wild Things owners Kathy and Kenneth Stearns in contempt.

In March, federal Magistrate Judge Amanda Sansone ruled that Wild Things violated the court order by transporting the tigers to Oklahoma to avoid a site inspection and ordered a default judgment against Wild Things that included reimbursement of PETA’s legal fees.

In response, PETA asked to amend its lawsuit to include Wild Things’ culpability in the death of the tiger cubs. That motion has now been approved by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

“The court’s ruling allows PETA to hold Dade City’s Wild Things’ feet to the fire for sending 19 tigers on an 18-hour journey without air conditioning or water, which proved deadly for three newborn cubs,” said PETA Foundation Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Brittany Peet. “The nineteen tigers have subsequently been relocated and are recovering at a reputable sanctuary, and PETA’s lawsuit is working to ensure that this facility will never possess tigers again.”

Wild Things attorney Gus Centrone said Wild Things has consistently denied any allegations of violating the Endangered Species Act.

“We strongly deny PETA’s allegations,” Centrone said when asked for a comment on the amended lawsuit. “To date, none of PETA’s outrageous and extremist claims against my clients have been adjudicated as final in court and we will continue to fight them. We also look forward to a decision from the court on our counter-claims regarding PETA’s fraudulent and harassing conduct towards my clients.”

The 22-acre animal park at 36909 Blanton Road in Dade City offers safari tours featuring bears, monkeys, lions, panthers and other exotic animals along with opportunities to swim with tiger cubs, alligators and otters.

Images via Wild Things