Tri-State Zoo Found in Violation of the Endangered Species Act

Following a six-day bench trial in PETA’s Endangered Species Act (ESA) lawsuit against the Tri-State Zoological Park in Maryland, a federal court ruled that Tri-State violated the ESA by failing to provide tigers, lions, and lemurs with adequate veterinary care, including five animals who died during the course of the lawsuit. The ruling also found ESA violations based upon the facility’s failure to provide the protected animals there with adequate sanitation, companionship, and enrichment. The facility is prohibited from owning or possessing endangered or threatened species in the future, and the two surviving tigers, Cheyenne and Mowgli, and lion, Peka, were ordered to be transferred to The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado. Although Tri-State has appealed, the appellate court rejected its request to prevent their transfer pending conclusion of the appeal.