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Roadside Zoo News
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Texas roadside zoo owner Jason Clay cooperates with feds for lesser sentence
Texas roadside zoo owner Jason Clay has entered into a plea agreement that requires him to cooperate with officials by providing information
Dec 22, 2023
3,757 views


Natural Bridge Zoo animal forfeiture hearing moves forward
A judge ruled against an attorney for Natural Bridge Zoo today, indicating a forfeiture hearing for 95 seized animals will move forward.
Dec 19, 2023
720 views

Feds shut down Even Keel Exotics and seize 142 animals
Even Keel Exotics has been permanently shut down and the feds plan to confiscate 142 animals from roadside zoo owner Zachery Keeler.
Aug 22, 2023
2,208 views


Cicchelli Second Chance Rescue and Exotics permanently shut down by feds
Cicchelli Second Chance Rescue and Exotics, a roadside zoo in Lake City, Michigan, has been permanently shut down by federal officials.
Aug 10, 2023
3,424 views


Bill Zelenski sentenced to life in prison for Waupaca murder over stolen reptiles
William Zelenski will be eligible for parole in 35 years after being found guilty of killing a Waupaca teen over stolen reptiles.
Jul 28, 2023
2,849 views


MToxins Venom Lab fined for hiding the death of bald eagle
MToxins Venom Lab in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, has been fined for falsifying documents to hide the death of a bald eagle.
Jun 8, 2023
7,453 views


Animal welfare unknown at Even Keel Exotics after ten missed inspections
Even Keel Exotics in Michigan has missed 83% of USDA inspections in the past year, with ongoing concerns for the welfare of the animals.
Apr 13, 2023
744 views

Union Ridge Wildlife Center animals being rehomed while Cy Vierstra heads to prison
The animals at Union Ridge Wildlife Center are being rehomed, according to Ohio officials, weeks after Cy Vierstra was sentenced to prison.
Feb 22, 2023
10,891 views

Cy Vierstra of Union Ridge Wildlife Center sentenced to prison for theft of $287,000 in town funds
Cy Vierstra will spend five years in prison for stealing township funds to finance his roadside zoo Union Ridge Wildlife Center.
Feb 6, 2023
6,550 views


Morgan Machnik of Premier Exotics cited for abusing servals; releasing bobcat
Morgan Machnik of Premier Exotics cited with four federal violations for abusing servals and releasing a captive bobcat into the woods.
Feb 3, 2023
1,332 views

Union Ridge Wildlife Center's USDA license canceled in advance of Cy Vierstra's felony sentencing
Cy Vierstra of Union Ridge Wildlife Center has cancelled his USDA license while awaiting sentencing on five felonies for theft.
Jan 6, 2023
1,466 views

Special Memories Zoo owner and manager agree to pay Animal Legal Defense Fund $130,000
Special Memories Zoo owner Dona Wheeler and former zookeeper Gretchen Crowe have agreed to pay Animal Legal Defense Fund $130,000.
Nov 22, 2022
634 views


East Texas Zoo and Gator Park listed for sale by Jason Clay, along with Franklin Drive Thru Safari
East Texas Zoo and Gator Park has now been listed for sale by Jason Clay, following the sale listing for Franklin Drive Thru Safari.
Nov 21, 2022
2,808 views


Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary tiger cub death toll rises to five after two cubs drown in icy pond
Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary's tiger cub death toll rises to five after two tiger cubs drowned in an icy pond during a frigid Wisconsin night.
Nov 20, 2022
6,163 views


Franklin Drive Thru Safari listed for sale after Jason Clay’s wildlife trafficking indictment
Franklin Drive Thru Safari has been listed for sale after owner Jason Clay's indictment on wildlife trafficking charges with Doc Antle.
Nov 13, 2022
6,691 views

Videos show Morgan Machnik of Premier Exotics abusing animals
Premier Exotics owner Morgan Machnik abuses animals, photo and video evidence shows.
Nov 5, 2022
8,345 views


Cy Vierstra of Union Ridge Wildlife pleads guilty to five felonies for stealing from Vinton township
Cy Vierstra of Union Ridge Wildlife Center faces up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to five felonies for stealing from his town.
Oct 27, 2022
1,387 views


Gretchen Crowe and Dona Wheeler agree to settlement for lawsuit that shut down Special Memories Zoo
Gretchen Crowe and Dona Wheeler of Special Memories Zoo have agreed to pay a settlement to Animal Legal Defense Fund.
Oct 27, 2022
293 views


Cy Vierstra of Union Ridge Wildlife Center commits fraud while on bond for felony case
Union Ridge Wildlife Center owner Cy Vierstra is fraudulently soliciting donations to cover legal fees and restitution in his criminal case.
Oct 23, 2022
1,458 views


Cicchelli Second Chance Rescue and Exotics cited with 42 violations in the past year
Cicchelli Second Chance Rescue and Exotics has been cited with 42 violations in the past year and may lose their license to exhibit animals.
Oct 18, 2022
357 views
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