From Hellhole to History: Long Island Roadside Zoo Where Animals Froze to Death Is Closing!

Good news! Holtsville Ecology Site—a landfill-turned-roadside zoo in Brookhaven, New York where animals allegedly froze to death and died from other painful ailments—is officially closing. Thanks in large part to a persistent campaign by PETA and Humane Long Island, another roadside hellhole is shutting its doors.

How We Took the Animal-Exploiting Operation Down

Whistleblower reports alleged that Holtsville failed to protect animals from freezing temperatures and denied veterinary care to several animals, including a black bear named Honey. According to several former employees, Honey suffered from broken and rotted teeth and chronic urinary tract infections. In nature, Honey might be doing what all bears do when humans aren’t exploiting them: playing, foraging, and roaming across vast territories. She would have the chance to choose her own mate and potentially even raise her own cubs, nurturing and protecting them as mother bears naturally do. But Holtsville trapped her in a tiny concrete enclosure, where she was reportedly observed swaying back and forth—a sign of severe stress.

Other sick and neglected animals also allegedly died, including a goat with a large abscess on his neck, a skunk suffering from cancer, a crow infected with West Nile virus, and at least half a dozen parakeets who froze to death.

So PETA sprang into action. We deployed a mobile billboard reminding everyone to steer clear of the seedy facility, while animal defenders from Humane Long Island showed up in force to the town’s board meeting to urge officials to shut it down. Our supporters also contacted town officials through our action alerts, increasing the pressure. 

Now, the Brookhaven town council has formally adopted the 2026 budget, which removes funding from the facility and outlines its shutdown.

How You Can Help Animals Suffering at Roadside Zoos

Animals aren’t meant to be caged, confined, or gawked at. At roadside zoos, they often pace endlessly from boredom, stress, and loneliness—and some even harm themselves out of sheer frustration. These facilities force animals into unnatural photo ops, breed them to sell tickets, and tear babies from their loving mothers. This isn’t “entertainment”—it’s cruelty.

While it’s too late for Honey, other animals need your help NOW! Help us shut down more seedy roadside zoos: