It was one of the most dangerous rescues that the Mississippi Department of Wildlife had ever conducted.
It took over 20 officers to get the job, along with help from the Manhattan Highway Patrol.
The swarming of the Collins Exotic Zoo off of Mississippi’s Highway 49, was the result of a two-year investigation by the Humane Society of the United States.
They filed the complaint which resulted in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks obtaining a warrant and permission to seize dangerous, abused, and neglected animals at the zoo.
The investigation found that the zoo was allegedly in violation of state law citing welfare issues in regards to possession of wild animals inherently dangerous to humans.
There were several animals at the zoo that were deemed “inherently dangerous” including four cougars, four wolves, three leopards, six tigers, a lion, and a macaque monkey.
When rescuers arrived they found the animals in shoddy cramped cages over dirt floors.
Veterinarians on-site said they found several malnourished animals, unsecure tiger cages, an injured leopard, and venomous snaked in unlocked enclosures.
The investigation also found that animals weren’t getting adequate medical care, shelter, and weren’t being properly maintained. The Humane Society also said that he found instances of intentional animal abuse.
The Humane Society said that the zoo owners had been given notice to correct the violations but failed to do so before they were raided by the Department of Wildlife.
The animals that were deemed as a potential danger to humans were taken
“We’re rescuing two black leopards and a cougar and a and we’ll be assisting any way we can with the rest of the knockdown that has to be taking place today,” Kathryn Bertok of Carolina Tiger Rescue said.
The zoo owner was attempting to get an injunction against the seizure of his animals, so the rescuers had to work fast to get as many animals as they could off of the property.
The rescued animals were brought to Clevland Armory Black Beauty Ranch where enclosures were prepared for them.
This time the animals would be on grass instead of dirt and would have toys like logs to play and scratch.
They would also be given proper medical attention and nutrition.
“They are going to be in a much better place now and it makes me happy,” said a Humane Society employee.
More than 600,000 people watched a video of the rescue on YouTube.
Check out the rescue in the video below.
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