It is end of days for the big four “Tiger Kings” of America. One of these prominent big cat exploiters was (his days are numbered) the exotically named Bhagavan Doc Antle. He has been indicted on various animal cruelty charges and he will, hopefully, follow the path of his associates and end up out of the business of exploiting big cat cubs and arrogantly ruling the roost with a menagerie of subdued big cats. I hate that horrible arrogance that this man exudes when he lords it over his harem of wild cats. It is horrible to look at as far as I am concerned.
Well, he was very vocal in opposing Carole Baskin’s fight against big cat exploitation through her bill, the Big Cat Public Safety ActA. Carole says that Antle was the most vocal in speaking out against it. He had “thwarted our efforts to bring the bill to the floor for a vote”.
This is the moment for this important bill to restart its journey to become law. It is supported i.e. sponsored by very many members of the United States House of Representatives. The bill is primarily sponsored by Michael Quigley, the US representative for Illinois fifth Congressional District. The bill is currently listed as “introduced”. This means it is at the beginning of his path towards becoming law. It needs to pass in the House, the Senate and be approved by the President before becoming law. A long journey is ahead but it appears that a barrier to it has been removed.
Carole Baskin must be delighted in seeing these tiger kingpins getting their comeuppance after so many years of prancing around the countryside pretending they were involved in conservation when they were actually involved in exploitation.
The Big Cat Public Safety Act amends the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to clarify provisions enacted by the Captive Wildlife Safety Act, to further the conservation of certain wildlife species, and for other purposes (as described by Congress).
Carole Baskin has fought valiantly against critics to protect the big cats of America and to stop their exploitation. There are more tigers in private zoos and public zoos in America than in the wild on the entire planet (by a large number). Big cat cubs are big business in roadside petting and photography facilities. They are ripped from their mothers, exploited, abused and used and when they are no longer financially viable they are disposed of. It is quite disgusting and immoral and at last it has been decided that it is illegal too. Doc Antle should be finished and his ghastly zoo should be closed. The animals should be dispersed to decent homes so that American citizens can put this episode of animal abuse behind them.
A. The Big Public Safety Act (HR 1380-S. 2561) is a federal bill, which in the words of Big Cat Rescue addresses two major areas of big cat abuse in America: owning big cats as pets and exploiting big cat cubs at roadside zoos. In my words, it is highly objectionable to abuse very young lions and tigers in this way. It is unforgivable actually. It is done for one purpose: to make money.
Well said Gail. I agree with everything you say. I admire Carole Baskin and I also know that Pres Trump would object to this legislation. He is very much anti-animal welfare in my opinion. Completely the wrong person to promote sustainability and to protect nature.
Carole Baskin is truly a heroine in her quest to put an end to this nonsense of roadside attractions, as well as private ownership. We all pray this bill gets passed. There is a caveat, however, in getting it through both houses and having our alleged president sign off. The president’s family (especially the sons) have bragged about big cat killing in canned hunts. I don’t believe anything will ever happen as long as the current administration is in office, including the GOP who kowtow to this coward’s every word and enable him to get away with his behavior.
This should not be a political issue. Unfortunately, it has sadly come down to that. I applaud Carole Baskin for her efforts and support her every move. Let’s all pray this gets done sooner rather than later.