Humane Society Rescues Animals From Cruel Zoo
Photo by Kathy Milani, The Humane Society of the United States
Eleven exotic animals have been rescued from the Collins Zoo, an unaccredited roadside facility in Mississippi.
The animals are being moved to sanctuaries in other states Wednesday night, during a severe weather event in the southeastern U.S.
"Drivers should be prepared for blinding downpours, damaging winds, hail and they may even see an isolated tornado," said AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Andrew Mussoline. "There could be 'ponding' of water on roadways and travel will be slowed due to visibility concerns."
Three tigers, three cougars, two leopards, two wolf-hybrids and one Macaque monkey were being taken from Collins Zoo due to violations of state permit requirements.
"We just hit the rain," said Jordan Crump Public Information Officer for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) at around 6 p.m. Tuesday night. "All of the big cats, wolf-hybrids and the monkey have been safely removed from the property."
Rescuers transport animals out of Collins Zoo in this photo by Kathy Milani, The Humane Society of the United States
The HSUS spear-headed the movement of the animals. The three tigers will be cared for by the HSUS at their Cleveland Armory black Beauty Ranch in Texas which is operated by its affiliate "The Fund for Animals." The two wolf-hybrids will also remain at the ranch until custody arrangements are decided. One cougar and two leopards will be sent to the Carolina Tiger Rescue of Pittsboro, N.C., while the other two cougars will be sent to the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation of Kendalia, Texas. The Macaque monkey will be sent to Born Free U.S.A. Primate Sanctuary of Dilley, Texas.
According to the HSUS's press release, "The animals at the Collins Zoo have been forced to live in inhumane conditions for many years, and The Humane Society of the United States is relieved to finally be able to rescue these animals and help them begin new lives in appropriate sanctuaries," said Lydia Sattler, Mississippi state director for The HSUS. "The situation at the unaccredited Collins Zoo is a prime example of the animal cruelty and public safety concerns that stem from our country's unregulated exotic animal industry. This should be a wake-up call to lawmakers and communities around the country to crack down on the casual ownership of dangerous wild animals."
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Daily U.S. Extremes
past 24 hours
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| Low | 15° | Sunset Crater, AZ |
| Precip | 3.99" | Wadena, MN |
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