A dead tiger, left in a freezer for months. Starving lions and leopards. Animals dying without medical attention. One full-time staffer feeding over 300 animals. According to police and USDA inspection reports, that’s the state of affairs at Oregon’s West Coast Game Park Safari.
State police served multiple search warrants at the south Oregon property on Thursday as part of a “lengthy” criminal investigation. The park is a regional attraction, with over 450 animals across 75 species, and has been in operation since 1969. USDA reports in recent years have noted consistent violations.
Concerns ranged from animal handling and guest safety – “there is no readily identifiable facility attendant present throughout the zoo in areas where between 50 and 100 combined sheep, goats, llama and deer roam free with and have contact with and are hand fed by the public” – to veterinary cary – “an older lioness, and older lion, and a black African leopard were observed with decreased muscle mass, with hips, ribs, and spine prominently displayed under the skin”.
All ‘safaris’ like that should be banned. Zoo’s are one thing, as they have good care takers and researchers and the animals are usually rescues. Otherwise these animals need to be in a sanctuary or wildlife refuge