SANDSTONE, Minn. — The Wildcat Sanctuary near Sandstone has accepted some big cats seized by federal officials from the private zoo in Thackerville, Oklahoma. The privately owned Sandstone sanctuary already had 41 big cats. The sanctuary declined to say how many cats it acquired from the Oklahoma zoo because the federal investigation is ongoing. In recent weeks the government picked up animals from the Tiger King Zoo for inadequate care, nutrition and shelter. The government acted after a 2020 Netflix documentary “Tiger King.” Court documents say the owners, had sold 46 tigers, seven lions, 15 lion-tiger hybrids and a jaguar in violation of the Endangered Species Act and the Animal Welfare Act. Also, said the government, the owners, Jeffrey and Lauren Lowe, had been exhibiting the animals without a license.
True to its name. The Wildlife Sanctuary does not breed, buy, sell or exhibit animals. The 40-acre sanctuary is not open to the public in order to assure peace and tranquility for the cats.