In a shocking exposé that raises critical questions about animal welfare practices, federal inspectors have revealed alarming violations at the Zoological Wildlife Foundation (ZWF) in Miami, a facility owned by former drug kingpin Mario Tabraue, known for his appearance in the Netflix documentary “Tiger King.” Among the disturbing findings, the zoo was cited for the amputation of an endangered clouded leopard’s leg and the death of a capybara, both attributed to negligent breeding practices.
Negligence and Suffering at ZWF
During a March inspection, officials from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) documented a series of violations that paint a grim picture of the conditions at ZWF. The inspection found that many enclosures were dilapidated and unsafe, with wild animals housed in filthy cages containing contaminated food and water teeming with algae and dead insects. These revelations have reignited calls from animal rights advocates for the immediate closure of the zoo.
The clouded leopard, named Petra, suffered a horrific injury when staff attempted to breed her with a male leopard. The two were kept in separate enclosures but had a shared wall that allowed Petra to reach through, leading to her being attacked. Tragically, this incident resulted in the amputation of her left leg. Klayton Rutherford, director of captive wildlife advocacy at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), condemned
