Landed in 2020 on Netflix, the documentary series “In the kingdom of wild animals”, or “Tiger King” in English, was a real phenomenon. It also caused controversy and today the owner of one of the zoos has just been sentenced.
In 2020, the documentary series Tiger King, or In the kingdom of wild animals in French, fascinates the whole world, helped by its colorful protagonists, its incredible story and… confinement!
The one who calls himself Doc Antle, Bhagavan Antle of his real name, and who was also entitled to his own documentary series Tiger King: the Doc Antle case, has just been sentenced. The state of Virginia convicted him of four counts related to buying and selling endangered animals.
His sentencing is set for September 14. He faces up to 20 years in prison. But for now, he remains free on bail pending sentencing, we learn Deadline.
Antle has been accused of illegally purchasing endangered lion cubs for display and profit at his zoo in South Carolina. And a jury found him guilty last Friday on two counts of wildlife trafficking and conspiracy to traffic wildlife.
Along with his convictions, Antle was acquitted of five counts of animal cruelty, and Judge Alexander Iden dismissed four other animal cruelty charges against Antle and his two daughters.
Prosecutor Michelle Welch said the Antle Zoo, the Myrtle Beach Safari, encourages the trainer to maintain a steady supply of immature lion cubs. He bought them at Wilson’s Wild Animal Park near Winchester, calling the arrangement “lion cub pipeline“from Virginia to South Carolina.
Antle was charged in 2020 with multiple offenses including counts of wildlife trafficking and conspiracy. Defense attorney Erin Harrigan called the lawsuit against her client politically motivated in response to a growing public outcry against the exploitation of wild animals for entertainment.