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Carole Baskin now has control of Joe Exotic’s former zoo

By Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Joe Exotic This undated file photo provided by the Santa Rose County Jail in Milton, Fla., shows Joseph Maldonado-Passage, also known as Joe Exotic. A federal judge in Oklahoma has awarded ownership of the zoo made famous in Netflix's “Tiger King” docuseries to Joe Exotic's rival, Carole Baskin. In a ruling Monday, June 1, 2020, U.S. District Judge Scott Palk granted control of the Oklahoma zoo that was previously run by Joseph Maldonado-Passage — also known as Joe Exotic — to Big Cat Rescue Corp. (Santa Rosa County Jail/via AP, File)

By Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Joe Exotic’s former zoo has a new owner -- his competitor Carole Baskin.

A judge in Oklahoma ruled Baskin, who owns Big Cat Rescue, must get control of the business within 120 days, NBC News reported.

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The order also requires “the removal of all zoo animals for the Zoo Land.”

Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, was convicted last year in organizing a murder for hire plot against Baskin and for animal abuse. Baskin, Exotic said, was trying to ruin his business. Baskin accused Exotic of abusing his animals. In court she said he shot and killed five tigers, sold baby lemurs and falsified paperwork, claiming they were donated, CNN reported.

The current owner of the park is Jeff Lowe. His attorney said he expected the ruling and did not challenge her. Lowe is trying to open another park to be called Tiger King Park in Thackerville, Oklahoma in the next couple of months, CNN reported.

The saga between Exotic and Baskin came to light due to the Netflix series “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness.”



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