Federal wildlife inspectors have uncovered serious animal welfare violations at the Zoological Wildlife Foundation (ZWF) in Miami, a facility owned by Mario Tabraue, a convicted drug trafficker featured in the Netflix documentary *Tiger King*. The inspection, conducted in March, revealed a troubling track record of neglect, resulting in the amputation of a clouded leopard’s leg and the death of a capybara due to unsafe breeding practices. Animal rights advocates are intensifying calls for the closure of this roadside zoo, citing alarming conditions that compromise the welfare of its inhabitants.
Disturbing Findings from the Inspection
During the 30 March inspection by a veterinary medical officer from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), several critical violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act were identified. The report highlighted inadequate housing conditions, unsanitary cages, and contaminated food and water supplies. The findings were particularly distressing, as they included the incident involving Petra, a female clouded leopard whose injury necessitated the amputation of her left leg.
Danisha Bullock, the USDA officer, documented that Petra and a male clouded leopard were housed in separate enclosures adjacent to each other. A gap in the shared wall allowed the male to attack Petra, leading to her severe injury. “The licensee believes that the female clouded leopard reached her paw into the enclosure of the male via the gap under the door, and the male clouded leopard then attacked the female’s paw,” Bullock noted.
Fatal Breeding Practices Under Scrutiny
The death of a capybara, discovered on 1 January, further underscores the dangerous breeding practices at ZWF. The facility had housed the capybara with a male in an attempt to breed them. Bullock’s report indicated that the male had likely killed the female during this process. “Animals housed in the same primary enclosure must be compatible,” she stated, emphasising the violations of basic animal welfare standards.
Klayton Rutherford, director of captive wildlife advocacy at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta), expressed his outrage regarding the zoo’s practices. “The facility chases profits at the expense of animal welfare, and animals are paying with their lives and limbs at this hideous roadside zoo,” he stated. Rutherford highlighted the zoo’s history of prioritising financial gain over the well-being of its creatures, a recurring theme in facilities that exploit wild animals for public interaction.
A History of Violations and Public Outcry
ZWF has faced numerous violations in the past, including incidents where both animals and human handlers were injured. In July 2021, the USDA issued a “critical citation” following an incident where a lion cub bit a child. This history raises concerns about the zoo’s ability to provide a safe and humane environment for its animals.
Rutherford pointed to the broader implications of these incidents, drawing parallels to the recent closure of other facilities under scrutiny for similar welfare violations. “These citations, the closure of Sloth World, and the Miami Seaquarium all exemplify a growing awareness of the incompatibility between such businesses and animal welfare,” he explained.
Despite attempts to reach ZWF for comment, the facility has not responded to inquiries regarding the recent violations or its future operations.
Why it Matters
The troubling revelations surrounding the Zoological Wildlife Foundation serve as a stark reminder of the ethical dilemmas posed by roadside zoos and the exploitation of wild animals for entertainment. As public awareness grows, so too does the demand for accountability and reform in the way exotic animals are treated in captivity. The call for stricter regulations and the closure of facilities like ZWF reflects a pivotal moment in the movement towards prioritising animal welfare over profit, highlighting the urgent need for systemic change in the industry.
