PETA alleges neglect by zoo from Netflix's 'Tiger King'

June 28, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. | Updated June 27, 2020 at 12:49 a.m.

by Associated Press

FILE - In this July 20, 2017, file photo, Carole Baskin, founder of Big Cat Rescue, walks the property near Tampa, Fla. A federal judge in Oklahoma has awarded ownership of the zoo made famous in Netflix's "Tiger King" docuseries to Joe Exotic's rival, Carole Baskin. In a ruling Monday, June 1, 2020, U.S. District Judge Scott Palk granted control of the Oklahoma zoo that was previously run by Joseph Maldonado-Passage — also known as Joe Exotic — to Big Cat Rescue Corp. (Loren Elliott/Tampa Bay Times via AP, File)
FILE - In this July 20, 2017, file photo, Carole Baskin, founder of Big Cat Rescue, walks the property near Tampa, Fla. A federal judge in Oklahoma has awarded ownership of the zoo made famous in Netflix's "Tiger King" docuseries to Joe Exotic's rival, Carole Baskin. In a ruling Monday, June 1, 2020, U.S. District Judge Scott Palk granted control of the Oklahoma zoo that was previously run by Joseph Maldonado-Passage — also known as Joe Exotic — to Big Cat Rescue Corp. (Loren Elliott/Tampa Bay Times via AP, File)

WYNNEWOOD, Okla. (AP) - Federal officials are investigating an Oklahoma zoo made famous in Netflix's "Tiger King" series after an animal rights group accused it of neglect.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent requests to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to investigate Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park after a whistle blower provided them with photos and video of animals suffering from flystrike, according to the nonprofit's release.

Flystrike is a condition in which flies, usually drawn to uncleared animal waste, bite animals and lay eggs on them. The maggots eat away at their skin, HOKH-TV reported.

An investigation is underway with U.S. Game & Fish, State Wildlife, the USDA and Garvin County Sheriff's Department.

Jeff Lowe, who operates the zoo, has not returned the TV station's request for comment. Garvin County Sheriff Jim Mullet said that Lowe is cooperating with authorities.

Lowe took over the zoo in 2016 to assist Joseph Maldonado-Passage, also known as Joe Exotic, who is currently serving a 22-year federal prison term for killing five tigers and plotting to have his rival Carole Baskin killed. Earlier this month, a federal judge awarded ownership of the zoo to Baskin.

Injured animals are receiving veterinarian care and the USDA is monitoring them, according to the Garvin County Sheriff's Department's release.

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