A dead tiger was discovered in a freezer, left there for several months. Meanwhile, a hungry lion and leopard were reported, raising serious concerns about the welfare of the animals. Without veterinary care, many animals have died. A local attraction, the park is home to over 450 animals and 75 species, yet operates with a full-time staff who seem unable to address these issues. According to a recent USDA inspection report, multiple violations have been noted regarding animal care at the Oregon West Coast Gamepark Safari.
On Thursday, state police executed several search warrants at the Southern Oregon establishment as part of an ongoing criminal probe. The park, which has been running since 1969, has faced scrutiny due to ongoing complaints.
A USDA report from March 18 outlined nine specific violations, with a troubling seven being repeat issues.
Concerns regarding animal handling and guest safety were highlighted, noting an absence of facility attendants around a mixed area populated by sheep, goats, llamas, and deer, all of which are in close contact with the public. Additionally, reports mention aging lions and other serious welfare issues.
Another USDA report on April 1 identified four repeat violations. These included inadequate fencing for dangerous animals, rodent droppings found among animal food supplies, and a large cat that still hasn’t been seen by the facility’s veterinarians, even after being flagged two weeks earlier.
Past violations have also included instances where guests could come dangerously close to jaguars and bears. Some bears have even ended up hurting others, which raises alarm about safety.
The investigation is being carried out by agencies across eight states, though no criminal charges have been filed as of now. More details are expected to come out on Friday, and police are advising the public to steer clear of the facility for the time being.
