While we are all at home during this COVID-19 period, a lot of us are watching our streaming services and some of their original programming.  I am no exception. However, I would have been watching Netflix’s The Tiger King even if I hadn’t been in this “shelter at home” situation. Why?  Because this madness occurred just 30 miles north of where I live and I have actually been to the GW Exotic Zoo twice! Now for the rest of the story.

The GW Exotic Zoo has been in business for many years.  I have seen the signs on Interstate 35 any time I travel further than 30 miles north.  I always wondered what was actually there, but never went. Over the years I learned from others in our community that it was supposed to be a place that took in wild animals that had been in circuses, surrendered by people who had them in their homes, or other bad situations.   Awe, now that was a wonderful thought for me and something I could definitely get behind. A place where these abused or neglected animals could be cared for and be safe for the rest of their lives. Well, that indeed is how it started, but certainly not the end of the story. If you haven’t watched I certainly don’t want to tell you all the gory details, but I would like to share a few of my thoughts and experiences of visiting the Zoo and watching the program.

My first trip to the Zoo was in the summer of 2011.  My grandson was 3 years old and he and his mom were coming for their annual summer visit and we were looking for things to do while they were here.   My daughter and I both have very tender hearts when it comes to animals and we decided to go see this animal rescue zoo. Quite frankly, it was a wonderful experience.  Now remember, we went thinking these were all rescued animals being cared for. The place was clean, the staff seemed very knowledgeable and you could really see the animals up close.  They even had another area at the back of the park that you had to pay extra for, but it was a guided tour by a staff member. They talked to you more about each animal, where they came from and the things they did to care for them.  

I think what surprised us the most was the fact that they had way more than just tigers.  There were lions, bears, monkeys, wolves, alligators, and ligers, just to name a few. There were also interesting looking chickens wandering the grounds which was fun to watch.  It was almost like being at a farm. The enclosures were of varying sizes and some were very spacious. We were told that they were able to feed all of these animals with the help of Walmart who provided them with meat & chicken that was about to expire.  I even thought, great job Walmart. As we walked through the Zoo at our own pace, periodically you would hear a lion roar. And let me tell you, that is quite a sound. The entire park seemed to rumble. At the end of our experience, you could pay to hold a baby tiger, which we did.  My naive self just assumed the baby tigers came from a rescued animal that just happened to be pregnant. When we returned home after our visit, we were very impressed and decided we would go back again someday. My husband and my son also wanted to go with the next time.

Fast forward to the summer of  2017. According to the show, Jeff Lowe was now the owner of the Zoo because of all the money problems Joe was having.  Two grandkids now coming with their mom for their annual summer visit. We decided it was time to go back to the GW Exotic Zoo with my husband and son joining in the fun.  While the kids enjoyed seeing the animals, it was a much different experience for me and my daughter this time. The place was not as clean and the smell of animal feces in July in southern Oklahoma was overwhelming.   Of course, the kids wanted to play with a baby tiger, so we again paid for them to do that. That was a bit different too. Last time it was outside in an enclosure with fresh air and a breeze. This time it was inside of a non-air conditioned small room full of flies.  We, of course, had a zoo staff member there with us but our “baby tiger” was too mature for that experience and way too “playful” if you know what I mean. Again, I didn’t question why they always had baby tigers…..

So I sit down to watch this program and think I know what I’m going to see, but I was not prepared for what I would see, what I would learn and how it would make me feel.  Let’s explore that:

First off, I knew the zoo owner Joe Exotic was an unusual guy.  I understand that on a completely different level now. I don’t believe I saw him on either trip to the facility.  My son saw him in the park in July 2017 and recalls he was running around getting ready to film something. I had heard he was gay but didn’t know he had two husbands until the second one accidentally killed himself 3 months after our last visit there.   I recall Joe running for President in 2016 and for our Governor in 2018. I just assumed it was just a publicity stunt. When you see him in the show riding in the nighttime Christmas parade while he was running for governor, that’s my town! That was the year I didn’t attend that parade.  Look what I missed. I also was unaware of the feud with Carole Baskin in Florida. I didn’t watch his internet show that was highlighted in the series nor did I even know he had a show. So when he was arrested in September of 2018 for trying to have her killed, I was stunned. I also didn’t realize they were suing each other and that he owed Carole a lot of money, that he did not have.    My emotions about Joe went from thinking he was entertaining to wreckless, desperate, dangerous and finally, just very sad. He is still an active topic for our state and local news agencies from jail.

Secondly, I never really noticed when visiting the park that his staff members were such misfits. I don’t recall the people working in the souvenir office to be unusual and I never noticed “unusual” souvenir items on the shelves as we saw in the show.  I guess I didn’t look very closely at all the items that were available for purchase. With small children in tow, we probably just looked at child-appropriate items. So when the show focused on several staff members who were close to Joe who had no teeth and appeared to have severe substance abuse issues, it was eye-opening.  Especially those walking through the park with guns on their hips. I think the show eluded to Joe’s second husband being under the influence of something when he accidentally kills himself, incidentally while the park is open with customers just 3 months after our last visit.

Thirdly, the animals.  I believe I cried at some point in EVERY episode about the animals. That was the real tragedy of the story for me. The show uncovers a lot of things I didn’t want to know about their care or lack thereof.    I love animals and it made me feel that my trip to see them at the zoo was helping to allow their abuse. I am sorry I ever went. On a positive note, one of our local news channels reported last night that 39 tigers and 3 black bears are living in an expansive habitat in a Colorado Sanctuary.  Well, that’s a start.  

In conclusion, Jeff Lowe, the current owner of the park is moving the zoo to a community 30 miles south of me near the Red River.  I will never visit his facility and I will encourage others to not visit his facility. Oh and now I have started watching Ozark Season 3 and I won’t be visiting the Lake of the Ozarks or Osage Beach.  YIKES.