Another ‘Tiger King’ Scandal? Allegedly Corrupt Inspector Retires After Whistleblower Speaks Out
“Tiger King” villain and felon Mario Tabraue built Zoological Wildlife Foundation’s (ZWF) business model on exploiting wild animals for close-contact encounters. Visitors have been injured by tiger, lion, and chimpanzee bites. However, save for a few PETA-prompted citations, the roadside zoo had a suspiciously clean record from the USDA. It didn’t make any sense—until a whistleblower alerted PETA to alleged inspector corruption at the Miami roadside zoo.
According to the whistleblower, the USDA inspector tasked with ensuring that Zoological Wildlife Foundation was in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) was tipping off Tabraue ahead of “surprise” inspections. Allegedly, Tabraue was also giving the inspector free passes to the roadside zoo.
After receiving our complaint in April 2024, documents obtained via the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) revealed that the USDA launched an internal investigation and the inspector announced his early retirement shortly afterward.
Zoological Wildlife Foundation’s Inspection History
Between 2014 and 2024, the inspector in question conducted 16 inspections—yet citations were issued only once when he inspected alone. In stark contrast, a second inspector who visited ZWF during a 3-year period in the same time frame (2014-2017) cited the facility 15 times, often for serious violations.
Following our complaint, new inspectors were assigned, and Zoological Wildlife Foundation was cited for 25 violations of the AWA, including:
- An armadillo who died after being left in a plastic tub in the sun
- Six separate incidents in which members of the public were bitten or scratched by animals
- An incomplete enrichment program for primates
- No enrichment program for birds
- A cockroach infestation in two food prep areas
- Enclosures in dangerous disrepair and without proper shelter
Many of these violations are serious and ongoing problems that should have been obvious to any inspector.
How You Can Help Animals at Zoological Wildlife Foundation
Please join PETA in urging this roadside zoo to end its cruel public encounters and send the animals to reputable facilities where they can get the care that they deserve:
