Hawthorn Corporation Closes

Notorious animal exhibitor Hawthorn Corporation—which made a business out of leasing elephants and tigers to circuses—closed! This came after years of PETA protests and lawsuits and fines for over $270,000 in penalties from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Dozens of animals died on Hawthorn’s watch, including Tyke the elephant, who was shot and killed by police after she rampaged and killed her trainer in 1996; four elephants who died from tuberculosis; and at least 32 tigers who died over an 11-year span. The exhibitor’s elephants were ground zero for tuberculosis in the species in the United States, and in 2004, the USDA ordered it to relinquish 16 of them, most of whom went to sanctuaries after PETA filed a lawsuit regarding their placement. We’re celebrating that this notorious exhibitor is officially out of business.