People Who Have Actually Visited The Parks Featured In 'Tiger King' Share What They Were Like
Who has been to the places that Carole... "allegedly" did it?
Everybody is watching it. Everybody is talking about it. You can't escape it. The memes, the tweets, the mystery, the over the top drama. It's going to go down as a part of cultural history... I'm of course discussing "Tiger King" on Netflix. You just can't look away. And as it turns out, many of us have a small personal connection... because who hasn't visited a zoo?
Redditor u/AndTCGW wanted to know who has a personal experience when it comes to the locales in this docuseries craziness by asking....
Has anyone been to zoos that were documented on Tiger King? What were they like? Was there any indication of the crazy stuff that was in the documentary series?
not a thing......
Funny enough Caro;e Baskins big cat rescue is about 15min from me. I used to live right next to Nebraska Ave. Honestly I've never been to big cat rescue but trust me the crap you see in Tampa sometimes shades what others might consider "crazy stuff". So idk maybe some crazy crap was going down but that's just a typical day. P.S. no one simply takes a stroll down Nebraska Ave at night, not a thing. mrguitare
The Stench...
GiphyI went to the G.W. park in Oklahoma when I was maybe like... 11/12 on a school field trip. Honestly all I remember is how many animals there were. It was like... over kill. And Joe Exotic smelled... musky. He talked to the class about wildlife conservation and how PETA are terrorists. I got a stuffed tiger and an energy drink from the gift shop. It was a good day. BunnyBlushShop
"enrichment"
I went to BCR a couple years ago with my family. We spent a couple hours seeing different cats and made some "enrichment" toys for them. There were about 10 of us in the group, and 2 employees/volunteers who told us about the cats, and fed some with frozen meat popsicles (or something like that).
They had a checklist to make sure each cat was getting appropriate food. We were not allowed anywhere near the cats - there was a railing 10-15 feet in front of each habitat cage. The volunteers seemed to enjoy being there and seemed to love the cats we saw. I didn't get any bad vibes from the people. hyliston
Going to Jax.....
Not any of those places, but we do have a large cat "rescue" here in Jax. It's a very similar setup to what was seen in the doc. I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary, but now I'm wondering just what kind of crazy shit goes on behind the scenes. bohica1937
To the Zoo!
GiphyWhen I was a kid there was a "zoo" by our house. Never went there because it was never open, but you could hear lions from our deck. One time a kangaroo got out. I believe he also owned a "famous" reindeer that had been used in a Christmas movie. I don't remember much, I was really young.
Well, then one day the owner tried to hire a hitman to kill his ex wife and hired an informant instead and that was the end of that. He's in jail and it's an empty field. thebastardsagirl
Forget Carole....
I used to live near the BCR and almost applied for a "job" there, until I realized you didn't get paid and it was all volunteer based for like 12 hour days, yeah forget that. Carole Baskins is a crook lmao!! kdw97
I went to the one in Wynnewood,,,,,
Wow, finally a question I can answer?! I went to the one in Wynnewood probably close to 10 years ago now. I had gone camping with some friends the night before, and it was unseasonably cold, so I barely slept and was in a crappy mood and didn't want to go at all. I was skeptical of all the animals crammed into tiny cages and didn't really buy the whole rescue bullcrap.
The guide made some remark about how he'd rather be living in a cage than dead, and I was looking at the tiger in a tiny cage and thinking, damn, I'd rather be dead. They did have a baby white tiger you could pose with but I was too cheap and irritable to do it. IroniesOfPeace
Hey Tampa.....
I have been to BCR in Tampa. Though the cats were beautiful, I did not enjoy it. For the tour we were required to listen to pre-recorded info, mostly consisting of horrible stories of animal abuse. The guide was unenthusiastic. The whole vibe was depressing. At the end, they pressure visitors to make calls/emails about legislation. There's already a kiosk set up to do so. Not a fan. quarterinchseams
$15 for the win...
GiphyI visited the Great Cats World Park in Cave Junction, Ore. last summer. It's a good facility--lots of big cats, clean, everybody looks healthy and has plenty of room. No cub petting photo ops. No cubs on display at all, from what I recall.
OTOH, after watching the Netflix series, I wonder about their business model. The GW zoo couldn't make enough revenue off tourists wanting to see their mature cats, which is how they got locked into an overbreeding ponzi scheme. Feeding the grown cats required producing a steady stream of cubs for the high-dollar petting sessions.
So now I wonder: how is GCWP keeping all those grown tigers fed on $15 general admission tickets? Are they actually a cub mill? IDK. They do breed--the guide said that their endangered cats are all rotated through a species survival plan. But I'm suspicious that the breeding might have a profit motive, too. cortechthrowaway
holy crap look!
I am from Myrtle Beach and I've been to the themed animal parks there when I was like maybe 8 or 9 years old.
Funny story, I used to date a girl who lived right outside of Myrtle on the waterway. Well, one day we were hanging out and I noticed an elephant in the waterway and was like holy crap look! She brushed it off and said her neighbor had a bunch of exotic animals like tigers and stuff and they always took the elephant out there.
That neighbor was Doc Antel. mgtrypx
The Rescue.
I went to the GW park about 8 years ago. Had no indication of all the crazy stuff going on because they do such a good job of billing it as a rescue. Plus I have been telling everyone since they should go because I got to play with baby tigers which I now feel horrible about. thebluebeagal
All for $5 Bucks....
When I was 19, I was driving from New Jersey to Florida with some friends. We stopped at a department store on the way for supplies. There were these two rednecks in the parking lot with two ligers. one was passed out on a table, and one was in a really rinky-looking wire cage.
The rednecks let us pet the ligers and take our pictures for five bucks each.
At the time, I thought it was really weird, but I figured they must have been educated and trained to handle big cats, because not any idiot could just buy a tiger or lion or whatever.
Come to find out, any idiot can buy a lion or tiger or whatever.
What's Up Doc?
My friend went to Doc's zoo in Myrtle Beach and said it seems really nice, which isn't surprising. He said there were only a few cats there so he was shocked to hear how many Doc actually has there, and wondered where the rest of them were kept.
Not quite the same but I lived in Zanesville, Ohio when all those animals were released a few years back. Some of the schools shut down and everyone was pretty scared. My grandpa was actually friends with Terry Thompson, the guy who owned the animals and released them. From what my grandma says Terry seemed perfectly sane and cared for the animals a lot, so she's always wondered why he would release them.
Oh and Terry also committed suicide after releasing the animals. They skipped over that part in the show and imply he was arrested, but I'm pretty sure he died on his farm. Joe Exotic actually wrote a song about Terry, my grandma sent it to me on YouTube a few weeks back and that's when I first heard about Joe's crazy butt. BoneAppleSkeetMF
Miranda Style...
I've been to Myrtle Beach Safari. It comes across as a great place, and they do a skillful job convincing you that they're doing good things. Weirdly, one of the only things that really raised a red flag for me was the way the women were done up. A lot of short shorts and makeup. It felt kind of weird that there was this obvious attempt at sex appeal, like I was being sold something rather than participating in a wholesome venture.
I actually looked into applying for a job there anyway, because I was kind of at a rather directionless juncture in my life. I remember there were some weird requirements, like you needed to watch The Devil Wears Prada before applying. The only reason I didn't follow through was because I would've had to give up my own cat. Scoozie
Moving the Cat....
I've been to Doc Antle's place in Myrtle Beach - i got the same vibe there that I did when I did one of those dolphin photo ops in Mexico - slimy. It was very quick and depressing. They moved the cat every 2 seconds to accommodate for all the people and felt like maybe the cats were drugged? very lethargic and just plain sad. once i saw tiger king i knew that i was right with my vibes.
Apparently that place got raided recently. RunTheHomemadeJewels
Tim pops up....
GiphyI've been to the Wildlife in Need Park in southern Indiana. It was advertised as a wildlife reserve/educational type place, and basically was a trailer park full of exotic animals. It was so upsetting, and not at all okay. I wasn't surprised at all to see Tim Stark pop up on the show, he's been in loads of trouble in Indiana for animal cruelty and probably saw helping Jeff Lowe with the park in Oklahoma as his way out. hayeday
The 99%....
I haven't been to the ones featured in Tiger King but growing up there was one near me in California that had cub petting and other things.
It closed down in a spectacular (in the worst way) crapshow when the "rescue" and the owner's home were raided and they found dozens of dead lions and tigers buried in shallow graves, malnourished animals, and dead cubs stuffed into freezers.
I was pretty young and my guess is the animals they displayed for the public were the healthy ones because I don't remember them looking sick or malnourished, but my mom refused to ever go back after our single visit so she probably noticed things I didn't as a kid.
After that experience I just assume 99% of "rescues" and "zoos" that are not properly accredited are like that. CSUSBro
back in 2014....
I went to GW back in 2014 since I was stationed nearby. I do remember seeing Joe Exotic and thinking he was a weird dude. But as for the park, there was no indication to all the crazy stuff going on. I did think the monkey cages were pretty crappy and felt bad for them. I was too cheap to pet the cubs so at least I don't have to feel guilty about that and I'm glad I didn't eat anything from the Zoo! AmenToThat95
Off I-35....
Okie here....
A lot of my friends went to the GW Park and some even saw or met Joe. They all said basically the same things: the park was nice, there wasn't anything nutty outside of the fact there's wild animals, and Joe did not come across as crazy, but instead a conservationist who loved animals.
Something the doc doesn't really touch on is the location of the zoo, which is strategically located right off I-35 in between Dallas and Oklahoma City. soonerguy11
Dukes Away...
GiphyI want to plug an animal sanctuary type place that I got GOOD vibes from: the Duke Lemur Center in North Carolina. The tours are delightful and the lemurs seem to be having a good time. They're given free roaming time in a large forest, too. AggressiveExcitement
'Stranger Things' Fans Lined Up For Hours To Scoop Up LEGO's Pricey New 'Upside Down' Set
Do you love the Netflix series Stranger Things?
Do you wish you could enjoy it in interlocking brick form?
If so, Netflix and LEGO have good news for you.
LEGO announced a new set based on the adventures of the kids from Hawkins, Indiana. While past LEGO collaborations with well known properties are easy to imagine, such as Batman and Star Wars, you would think Stranger Things would be a weird show to adapt.
However, it seems like people were more than willing to wait outside the LEGO Store to buy the set.
Looking forward to seeing a few of you tonight at the Midnight Opening Event at the @LEGO_Group Store Leicester Squ… https://t.co/TNd5CI0Pfb— Justin Ramsden (@Justin Ramsden) 1557835174.0
Oh! https://t.co/tLoyWausUP— Adam Sunman (@Adam Sunman) 1557903845.0
Strange Things happening from midnight tonight at the Lego Store, London #lego #Netflix #StrangerThings https://t.co/BPrpZ9HP1X— Julian Nelson (@Julian Nelson) 1557905862.0
The doors are open! #LEGO #StrangerThings #LEGOLeicesterSquare https://t.co/FfDWL6lTXM— Brickset (@Brickset) 1557876878.0
Fans were waiting outside the LEGO Store in Leicester Square for hours. They began lining up Tuesday morning for the release of the set Wednesday night.
The new set wasn't well publicized before the release.
Teaser images posted to the Netflix Instagram gave a clue, but it took until this week for people to be sure this would be a Stranger Things set.
Philip Thorne, a fan who waited more than nine hours, said:
"The joy of Lego is so exciting, my kids are so excited."
Tasha, a fan from London, said:
"I love Lego and I love Stranger Things. This is a merging of two worlds that I love."
All this excited energy can get you pumped!
Who else wants a set?
@LEGO_Group @NXOnNetflix https://t.co/qfna1jBV6P— Michael East (@Michael East) 1557875286.0
@HeartLondonNews Okay Google... find me time-traveling flights to London.— Brickstar Studios (@Brickstar Studios) 1557954833.0
@tomboabs @verge Of course! 😀 I am very, very tempted. But it's quite expensive for the size. Paying for the brandi… https://t.co/hUeBpp8mxY— G X Todd (@G X Todd) 1557925907.0
Slow your roll before you get too excited. The new LEGO set may come with more than 2200 pieces, but it also comes with a hefty price tag.
The set was going for $200 online for LEGO VIPS. That's a lot of money to drop on the plastic bricks.
But it could be argued that what you get for that price is very worth it. The set is one of the more interesting designs LEGO has released in recent years.
The bricks form into a mirrored form of the house of Joyce Meyers. The normal looking house sits on top of the 'upside down' version of the same residence, supported by trees.
The main characters from the show are included, but what else is in there?
Its true: there’s a @LEGO_Group #StrangerThings set. Lego Eleven and Dustin look particularly good, and the house… https://t.co/0QbGdoQJ9P— Ali Plumb (@Ali Plumb) 1557904104.0
Stranger Things LEGO hi-res images! 😲 what does everyone think? https://t.co/W86DaBUqN1— Bob's Vintage Bricks (@Bob's Vintage Bricks) 1557749270.0
@SchmittJ67 @verge https://t.co/RKNFXYgi1V— bluff (@bluff) 1557918768.0
You've got well known details such as the light up board that Will uses to communicate with his mother while trapped in the upside down. Sheriff Hopper and his cruiser can try to keep everyone safe, while the kids are chased by the evil Demogorgon.
LEGO VIP members could order the set yesterday, but it will also be available for retail on June 1.
Makes you wonder if it was really worth waiting hours outside the store, if they could have just waited a few weeks.
The Fab Five From 'Queer Eye' Just Gave A Shelter Dog A Fabulous Makeover, And We're Totally Smitten
Bobby, Tan, Antoni, Jonathan, and Karamo. Could these five men get any more fabulous?
Turns out the Fab Five just get better and better, just like a fine wine that Antoni might pair with a delicately, but expertly, prepared filet mignon.
To celebrate National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, Netflix sought out the help from the stars of Queer Eye.
The five filmed a short video where they took on a new, ruff-looking client.
Queer Eye 🐶 Puppy Makeover | Netflix www.youtube.com
The client was a sweet shelter pup by the name of Lacey.
The five jumped to their individual expertises and gave Lacey a day of pampering and preparing for adoption.
Antoni baked Lacey some healthy puppy treats, Jonathan gave her a manicure, Tan got her some not "too basic" accessories, and Bobby got her a new bed.
Perhaps best of all, Karamo gave her an adorable pre-adoption pup talk.
"You probably have a lot of fear of what's going to happen in the new home. But I love you and they're going to love you, and if you ever feel that stress and anxiety of 'maybe they're not gonna love me?' I want you to say this to yourself: 'I'm a good girl and I deserve love!'"
Now, I've always loved the Fab Five, but now I'm all about them becoming the Sensational Six and adding their first female counterpart.
People everywhere are in love with the video.
This is the wholesomeness missing from my life till now 😍😍😍😍 https://t.co/rCBZlaCKBh— Eyam (@Eyam) 1556731665
I’m literally crying over this #QueerEye Puppy Makeover video 🐶 https://t.co/bGvdvsHjxZ— Cindy R (@Cindy R) 1556672103
hi watch this. you won’t regret it. https://t.co/Z8ZQ9ZK9fG— s (@s) 1556715979
What's better than #queereye? QUEER EYE with PUPPIES https://t.co/VSsSbMaAh5— alexa (@alexa) 1556649935
@JarettSays https://t.co/lpFHQNi3af— Catherine Schreiner (@Catherine Schreiner) 1556637525
More Queer Eye dog content, please!!
A Film Documenting AOC And Three Other Women's Inspiring 2018 Runs For Office Is About To Drop On Netflix
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has been a force to be reckoned with since she began serving in Congress.
Her inspiring run for office is the inspiration behind Netflix's Knock Down the House, a documentary which follows the journey of four women who ran for the U.S. Congress in 2018.
The freshman Congresswoman took to Twitter to plug the news of the documentary's release.
The film debuts on Netflix and in select theaters on May 1.
Before my primary, three women & I agreed to film our journey of trying to run for office without big money. Now,… https://t.co/dfg1sx7axU— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1555950690.0
If you watch the trailer, you'll see glimpses of the three women who appear alongside Ocasio-Cortez: Amy Vilela, Cori Bush and Paula Jean Swearengin.
Ocasio-Cortez was the only one of the four who won her race for office.
529 women ran for congress in 2018 — Meet four of them in @knockdownmovie on May 1. https://t.co/nJU40nfwfJ— Netflix US (@Netflix US) 1555949933.0
The Knock Down the House social media account is already pushing to get people to see the film in theaters—so ya'll have no excuse.
Be a part of the movement. Visit https://t.co/tnrVcdjLDw to sign up for screenings in your community. https://t.co/lQtHISJRLh— Knock Down the House (@Knock Down the House) 1555948808.0
People are undoubtedly excited for the film.
This will premiere on Netflix on May 1! It's a must see film about 4 amazing women: @AOC , @amy4thepeople,… https://t.co/d1vGb96vfI— Bruce Carlson (@Bruce Carlson) 1555952415.0
Less than 100 years ago, women couldn't even vote. https://t.co/3nRhr8Tkna— Martha Sorren (@Martha Sorren) 1555950620.0
I cannot wait to see this!! I relate so much to this woman!! I didn't expect to develop a passion for politics but… https://t.co/OrLhz5xAiz— Brett Simpson (@Brett Simpson) 1555951582.0
Whew! Where’s my Kleenex??? https://t.co/F5mIVQgF84— Baby Bassett (@Baby Bassett) 1555950653.0
Amy Vilela was inspired to run for office after her uninsured young daughter died after being denied emergency medical care.
Since then, she's campaigned to consider human lives over profit margins.
"For one of us to make it through, a hundred of us have to try." This is only the beginning. Knock Down The Hou… https://t.co/VlGV88oM92— Amy Vilela (@Amy Vilela) 1555951761.0
Paula Jean Swearengin, a native of West Virginia, has continued to rally against the environmental impacts of the coal mining industry in her home state, a sharp rebuke of President Donald Trump's claims that "good, clean coal" will experience a resurgence.
The trailer is out! So exciting! #KnockDownTheHouse https://t.co/LC6lzFHWgU— Paula Jean Swearengin (@Paula Jean Swearengin) 1555958092.0
Cori Bush, an ordained pastor, was inspired to run as she watched the Ferguson protests against police brutality unfold.
Sign up for a screening! https://t.co/0mnBQz44Vq— Cori Bush (@Cori Bush) 1555978214.0
It's safe to say we haven't heard the last of these women.
Knock Down the House will only further their names in the public consciousness. As for Ocasio-Cortez... well, you know the story.
Chances are there's a Republican crying about her past as a bartender even before this article goes to print.
Bravo, ladies.
Footage Of Blue Ivy Teaching Some Moves To Beyoncé Has Already Cemented Her Status As An 'Icon'
What is it about hair-o-graphy that elevates dancing to the next level?
Just watching these airborne braids from the heads of young performers give me whiplash.
At seven-years-old, Beyoncé's daughter Blue Ivy Carter is growing up way too fast, and her whipping hair-o-graphy is a sight to behold.
It's not just about the visual. It's a mark of a prodigious performer waiting for her curtain to rise.
Bey's new documentary Homecoming, ready for streaming on April 17, is about to become the fans' latest Netflix obsession.
A teaser dropped in which the talented scion holds court and shows her mom's backup dancers how its done.
Homecoming: A Film By Beyoncé | Official Trailer | Netflix www.youtube.com
But what has fans excited about the doc is this scene here:
Blue Ivy teaching everyone choreography, the 2030 music game about to 🔥🔥 #BeyonceHomecoming https://t.co/ZseMUYi5A5— Complex Music (@Complex Music) 1554734762.0
Her grasp of all things fierce is impressing Twitter, calling Blue Ivy's performance the dawn of great things to come.
@ComplexMusic The talent and creative genes in Beyonce and Jay-Z combined. It will be interesting to see what her c… https://t.co/wUDG73k7sK— Moorish Brooklyn 🇲🇦🇯🇲 (@Moorish Brooklyn 🇲🇦🇯🇲) 1554740524.0
@ComplexMusic @lisha_jayyyy apparently her stans are called the “Ivy League” so guess what I am officially apart of 😅🙌🏾— Ash Ketchum’s Half-Brother 🤟🏾 (@Ash Ketchum’s Half-Brother 🤟🏾) 1554740619.0
Blue Ivy has officially unlocked icon status. #BeyonceHomecoming https://t.co/2WVqrck4t6— Erik J. Mac (@Erik J. Mac) 1554733601.0
One went as far as exclaiming we are witnessing "a legacy in the making."
BLUE IVY HAS BEEN TRAINING TO BE THE NEXT SUPREME SINCE BIRTH. WE ARE WITNESSING A LEGACY IN THE MAKING https://t.co/iZ2ri147kI— T’Chaka Khan 🅴 (@T’Chaka Khan 🅴) 1554731014.0
@callmedollar @MatthewACherry The baby has never seen a ceiling...I mean...there are no limitations.— Shae Marstone (@Shae Marstone) 1554738320.0
Is the hair necessary for that hair-whipping move?
@ComplexMusic @HeartEyes4Brady I keep trying, but for some reason I can'gt do it https://t.co/IYZ6UeX3sO— Jeff Wetherbee (@Jeff Wetherbee) 1554746234.0
Let's not forget Willow. Could we see a collaboration in the future?
@DeepSpaceYonce Nah Willow did it betta...issa rich girl dance how much money gotta be in ya trust fund to do that… https://t.co/p8yRxpmJes— Phil Hunt (@Phil Hunt) 1554763599.0
Nobody: Blue Ivy: https://t.co/0NmvsFWRuV— ✷𝕿𝕽𝕬𝕻𝕮𝕽𝖄✷ (@✷𝕿𝕽𝕬𝕻𝕮𝕽𝖄✷) 1554735551.0
It's not just about the move. It's about her commanding presence. It's called learned behavior.
@netflix I just want to point everyone’s attention to the 31 second mark where Blue Ivy is instructing her mom and… https://t.co/rTPrBsmXyB— alley knowles-carter (@alley knowles-carter) 1554735932.0
Blue ivy stans are hereby known as the Ivy League and, we’re ready for the future supreme to rise https://t.co/KWlgEWHFGw— Nae (@Nae) 1554736889.0
There's no doubt about it.
@callmedollar @MarySeeYouEnTee Yeah that B’s daughter alright ✌🏻— CC (@CC) 1554756020.0
@ComplexMusic She is her mother’s child https://t.co/TLzeXDUizw— Ashanté Nicole (@Ashanté Nicole) 1554740443.0
Homecoming documents BeyHive's preparation leading up to her headlining performance at the Coachella in 2018. It is considered historic because Beyoncé, 37, was the first solo black female artist to lead the festival based in California.
@alleywilson_ @netflix Can’t wait!! 🙌🏾💃🏾 https://t.co/eFGaa7zVeB— Jess 💎 (@Jess 💎) 1554750526.0
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go get some ice for my neck from watching all the whipping GIFs.