Himself, Others and His Animals

GW Exotic Animal Park in central Oklahoma has 200 tigers and more than 1,000 other animals. Its owner, Joe Schreibvogel, has been in the news many times for running a substandard zoo and allowing dangerous interactions between children and baby tigers. But Schreibvogel’s recent erratic behavior before Ohio lawmakers has advocates worried that GW Exotic is a disaster waiting to happen.

Joe Schreibvogel traveled to Ohio in April 2012 to lobby against Senate Bill 310, the bill to restrict private ownership of dangerous animals kept in captivity. The bill is a result of the Zanesville animal disaster that left 49 exotic animals slaughtered and the owner of the facility, Terry Thompson dead.

Schreibvogel told legislators that Terry Thompson was “murdered by animal advocates to advance an agenda to ban private ownership of dangerous exotic pets.” In truth Thompson released the wild animals and shot himself. Schreibvogel also said if he was faced with a similar situation he would act as Thompson did.

Sensing urgency with GW Exotic, the Humane Society of the United States has been conducting an undercover investigation into the animal park since last summer.

Here are some of their findings:

• At least five tigers died at the facility during the investigation – two had been sick for months and a 6-week-old cub being raised inside the GW owner’s home sustained head injuries and had to be euthanized.
• In August 2011, according to GW’s assistant park manager, three people suffered tiger bites at a fair, including one child whose bite became infected.
• On Sept. 3, 2011, a tiger reportedly bit a young girl on her leg during the “play cage” portion of a tour.
• On Sept. 11, 2011, a tiger cub scratched a young child while the child was posing for a picture.
• On Sept. 17, 2011, a 20-week-old tiger named Dre knocked down and bit a small child. GW’s park manager told staff that the boy was bitten and scratched and that he would be bruised but that he (the manager) had “smoothed things over” with the mother and had her “sign the papers.” The next day, the same tiger was used for photo shoots at GW and photographers posed a small child bottle feeding the tiger.

“GW Exotics may have more dangerous exotic animals than any other roadside zoo in the nation—with approximately five times as many predators as the late Terry Thompson of Zanesville, Ohio,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. “At this facility, children are allowed to play with tigers as if they are domestic kittens, rather than wild cats soon to mature into the some of the world’s most lethal carnivores.”

HSUS has filed complaints with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service asking for an official investigation.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/exotic-animal-park-is-a-disaster-waiting-to-happen-video.html#ixzz1vAzb58RW

Oklahoma animal park let kids play with tigers

A Humane Society employee working undercover at an Oklahoma animal park discovered unsafe handling of deadly animals, including children being allowed to play with tigers, the society says.

The Oklahoman in Oklahoma City reports that the society filed complaints with the U.S. Agriculture Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies. The society claims employees at G.W. Exotic Animal Park in Wynnewood were taught to hit and whip the animals.

Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society, tells the newspaper the 54-acre park has one of the largest populations of “dangerous exotic animals” in the USA and kids “are allowed to play with tigers as if they are domestic kittens.”

A report issued by the Humane Society claims the undercover employee witnessed or heard reports of “numerous dangerous public interactions” at the park, including at least six park visitors who were either bitten or scratched by tiger cubs.

The report claims that employees hit and whipped the animals and at least five tigers died last summer under questionable circumstances.

Other findings detailed in the report allege that a “federally protected” hawk was placed in a trash bin while still alive and that small children were placed inside enclosures with unrestrained wolves and wolf hybrids.

Owner Joe Schreibvogel tells TheOklahoman the society has fashioned an elaborate publicity stunt targeting his park, home to 170 big cats and hundreds of other non-native species.

Schreibvogel says the society wants changes in state and federal laws to do away with private ownership of exotic pets, such as lions, tigers and other potentially deadly animals.

“If they care so much about the animals, then why didn’t they call me when they saw this alleged mistreatment?” he asked. “The HSUS makes big money from donations, and right now their donation button on their website is probably going crazy.

“They have their agenda, and I think it’s plain to see here.”

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2012/05/report-oklahoma-animal-park-let-kids-play-with-tigers/1?csp=34news#.T7WXdXlYsdU

Group calls Oklahoma animal park a ticking time bomb

Humane Society releases report

WYNNEWOOD, Okla. -

A well-known animal rights group calls an Oklahoma park a ticking time bomb.

The U.S. Humane Society says the G.W. Exotic Animal Memorial Park in Wynnewood is putting the public at risk by allowing tigers to have contact with the public. The report by the group also says that the animals aren’t being treated well.

The report has park owner Joe Schreibvogel fighting mad.

“The next person who tries to make me an example out of this park by letting my animals out, hurting me or my staff, I will put a bullet between their eyes,” Schreibvogel said.

In particular, he is angry after an undercover video was released by the Humane Society that shows a worker hitting a tiger. The group’s investigation claims that park animals aren’t receiving proper care.

The society’s report also claims unsanitary living conditions and space for park animals and a lack of veterinary care. A representative with the U.S. Humane Society said they are talking to law enforcement about the investigation, but so far, nobody has said that anybody has done anything criminally wrong.

Schreibvogel said that nobody has ever been attacked by an animal at his park and that he believes he was set up.

Schreibvogel said he was told that law enforcement would be increasing patrols around his property.

The park has more than 800 exotic animals.

http://www.koco.com/news/oklahomanews/around-oklahoma/Group-calls-Oklahoma-animal-park-a-ticking-time-bomb/-/12530084/13428816/-/7h15q2z/-/

Exotic Animals Owned By Man Who Testified Against

Ohio Bill Accused Of Attacking Children

COLUMBUS, Ohio - A man who testified against the proposed exotic-animal bill was accused Tuesday of running a wild-animals park where children were injured and animals were abused.

Joe Schreibvogel runs the GW Exotic Animal Park in Wynnewood, Okla., according to the Humane Society of the United States.

Schreibvogel, who goes by Joe Exotic, also serves as the head of the U.S. Zoological Association, which has been vocally against the state’s proposed exotic-animal ban.

GW Exotic Animal Park is licensed by the federal government, because it is open to the public and charges admission. The owner said that the park is one of the largest “refuges” for animals in the world.

GW Exotic Animal Park has about 200 tigers and 1,200 bears, chimpanzees and other exotic animals. It has a petting zoo, a traveling zoo, and breeds tiger and bear cubs.

Wayne Pacelle, president and chief operating officer of the Humane Society of the United States, said that his organization sent an undercover agent to the park to work as an employee.

The undercover employee documented alleged abuse and children being attacked by the exotic animals.

“Any person with any wit of common sense knows that large predatory animals are going to lash out at people,” Pacelle said. “That’s why sensible organizations say you have to keep dangerous wild animals separate.”

Pacelle called the Oklahoma park a “ticking time bomb” and said that it could be 10 times worse than the October Zanesville incident, in which 50 animals were released into the community before the owner, Terry Thompson, shot and killed himself.

In an interview with CBS News, Schreibvogel said that if anyone tried to remove his animals, it will result in a “small Waco.” He referred to the 1993 siege at the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas,
where several people were shot to death and 75 others died in a fire after federal agents tried to search the property, The Columbus Dispatch reported.

“It’s a ticking time bomb if someone thinks they’re going to walk in here and take my animals away, Schreibvogel said. “It’s a powerful statement, because I’ve poured my entire life into what I do, to care
for animals. And nobody is going to take my rights away.”

In the Humane Society video, the undercover investigator said Schreibvogel told him that if his animals were about to be seized, he would shoot himself in the head.

Terry W. Thompson shot and killed himself on Oct. 18, 2011, after he freed his personal menagerie of bears, lions, tigers and primates near Zanesville. In all, 48 animals had to be shot by law-enforcement officers to protect the public, 10TV News reported

That spurred the proposed Ohio law, which would end purchase and new ownership of restricted exotic animals after Jan. 1, 2014. Current owners could keep their animals, but would most likely have to register with the state by the end of the year.

Ohio Senate Bill 310, could be approved by an Ohio House committee Wednesday, with a vote planned by the full House on Thursday.

Schreibvogel traveled to Ohio twice in recent weeks to testify against the bill at legislative hearings.

Watch 10TV News and refresh 10TV.com for continuing coverage.
Previous Stories:

HSUS SAYS MAN WHO CLAIMED CONSPIRACY IN

ZANESVILLE HAS HIS OWN ANIMAL ISSUES

Last month the president of the United States Zoological Association, Joe Schreibvogel, spoke out on the October exotic animal release in Muskingum County saying he didn’t believe Terry Thompson killed himself, he thought Thompson was murdered as part of a conspiracy to ban exotic animal ownership.

Schreibvogel has also traveled to the state to lobby against Ohio’s pending exotic animal legislation.

On Wednesday the Humane Society of the United States released the results of an undercover investigation done at GW Exotic Animal Park in Oklahoma, where Schreibvogel is the president.

The Humane Society says it conducted the investigation in the Fall and Winter of 2011, by having an investigator pose as an employee at the animal park. In the videos released Wednesday employees of GW can be seen punching and whipping animals. The Humane Society says during the investigation five tigers died at the facility- including a 6-year-old tiger named Hobbes that died without receiving veterinary care and a 6-week-old cub that had to be euthanized after receiving a head injury at the park owner’s home.

The undercover video also shows a tiger cub knock a child down and bite him. According to the Humane Society, the USDA’s current regulations say the public should only have contact with cubs from 8 to 12 weeks old, but the tiger cub used was 20-weeks-old.

The HSUS says it has filed complaints with multiple federal, state and local organizations over the conditions at the park.

http://www.whiznews.com/content/news/local/2012/05/16/hsus-says-man-who-claimed-conspiracy-in-zanesville-has-his-own-animal-

Oklahoma park accused of letting kids play with tigers

OKLAHOMA CITY (Reuters) – The Humane Society of the United States is accusing an Oklahoma exotic animal park of allowing children to handle and pose for photographs with juvenile tigers in what they called “a petting zoo for carnivores.”

Joe Schreibvogel, owner of the G.W. Exotic Animal Park, 65 miles (100 km) south of Oklahoma City, denies the allegations, and he said on Thursday that the humane society simply wants to bankrupt him.

Wayne Pacelle, head of the animal rights organization, contends that allowing visitors to handle the unpredictable felines placed the visitors at risk.

The Humane Society sent an undercover operative to work at the park last year to videotape what he saw, including children mingling with exotic cats that are too old to be safe playmates. The investigator witnessed or heard about six incidents in which tiger cubs bit or scratched park visitors, Pacelle said.

Schreibvogel said he plans to file animal cruelty charges against the humane society’s undercover operative for failing to correct the alleged deficiencies in animal care described in his report, including an allegation that a bear had no water on a hot day last year.

“That was what he was trained and paid to do,” Schreibvogel said. “We are on our way to the sheriff’s office as soon as I hang this phone up.”

Pacelle said he fears a disaster similar to one in Zanesville, Ohio, last year, when the owner of a private collection of 56 tigers, bears and other wild animals freed them from their cages and then shot himself to death. Authorities killed 49 of the beasts as they ran wild through the area.

U.S. Department of Agriculture spokesman David Sacks said an investigation is being conducted into the deaths of 23 tiger cubs at the Oklahoma park in 2009 and 2010.

This is the fourth time the agency has investigated the park and its owner for violations of the Animal Welfare Act, which protects warm-blooded animals that are displayed to the public for compensation, Sacks said.

In a 2006 agreed decision, Schreibvogel was fined $25,000 and had his exhibitor’s license suspended for two weeks for deficiencies at his park.

(Editing By Corrie MacLaggan, Tim Gaynor and Mohammad Zargham)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/18/uk-usa-tigers-oklahoma-idUSLNE84H01020120518

Okla. animal park accused of unsafe handling

From The Associated Press

Police Lt. Col. Theerapat Tharithai says a Thai man and a Vietnamese man were arrested Wednesday in a raid at a house in Bangkok’s suburbs. He says police had trailed them from southern Thailand after receiving a tip-off.

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Theerapat says the carcasses of one complete Bengal tiger, two halves of another, one panther and a fishing cat were found in freezers. He says the suspects told police the carcasses were smuggled from Malaysia and were destined for China.

Thailand is a major market and transit point for wildlife products, such as tiger parts and elephant ivory.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/thai-police-seize-tiger-carcasses-believed-destined-for-china/2012/05/16/gIQAlyPUTU_story.html

USDA License #31-C-0050, 6633 Klick Rd., Massillon, OH 44646

Re: the tigers bred by Stump Hill Farm and sold to Massillon High School.

“After Obie spends a single season in Massillon and then becomes a free agent, he either goes to private animal sanctuaries that must assume these costs over time, or he goes to some horrid roadside zoo, or perhaps he’s sold into a canned hunting operation or to a wildlife parts dealer, so that tiger bones or penis can be sold for thousands of dollars. In just about every case, it’s a bad outcome for the tigers or the people who are enlisted to care for them.

Many Obies have been provided by Stump Hill Farms, a grossly substandard private menagerie with a long list of serious Animal Welfare Act violations, including citations for repeated failure to maintain and provide secure tiger enclosures, unsafe handling of a juvenile lion during public exhibition, declawing a juvenile tiger (a painful procedure that leads to chronic health problems), failure to provide veterinary care, and failure to vaccinate animals or even conduct routine parasite exams. After football season, some Obies have been returned to Stump Hill Farm or sent to Tiger Ridge Exotics, which has a similarly deplorable record of animal care.

It’s time to permanently bench this outdated, inhumane, dangerous, and costly tradition.” Mike Markarian  http://hslf.typepad.com/

Does the high school not know that white tigers are all inbred and thus suffer birth defects and mental disorders?  Is that really the image they want as a mascot?

Stump Hill Farm has failed to meet minimal federal standards for the care of animals used in exhibition as

established in the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has cited Stump Hill

Farm for failure to provide veterinary care, repeated failure to provide environmental enrichment and

minimum space to primates kept in solitary confinement and suffering from psychological distress, failure to

provide shelter from inclement weather, filthy and foul-smelling enclosures, failure to provide drinking water,

failure to maintain enclosures, and improper waste disposal. Stump Hill Farm buys animals at auction and

prematurely removes infant animals from their mothers for commercial purposes. Jack Hanna has used

infant animals from Stump Hill Farm for appearances on Good Morning America. Contact PETA for

documentation.

April 18, 2007: The USDA cited Stump Hill Farm for failure to have a responsible party present so that an animal

welfare inspection could be conducted.

July 13, 2005: The USDA cited Stump Hill Farm for failure to provide perimeter fencing adequate to prevent physical

contact between the animals inside the enclosure and animals or people outside the perimeter fence. The USDA also

cited Stump Hill Farm for failure to provide perimeter fencing that adequately served as a secondary containment

system in the event of an animal escape.

December 12, 2001: The USDA cited Stump Hill Farm for failure to correct previously identified noncompliances of

not providing minimum space, environmental enrichment, and veterinary care. Stump Hill Farm was also cited for

having filthy cages, for failure to maintain records of acquisition, and for failure to have a complete program of

veterinary care. An Egyptian fruit bat with a reddish-pink enlargement on the left wing joint area had not been

examined, diagnosed, or treated by a veterinarian. Records were incomplete for 21 Egyptian fruit bats and one sugar

glider acquired from an unlicensed source. The fruit bats were left in a dog kennel; the inspector wrote, “[T]he animals

need space enough for the passive and pregnant females to hide from more aggressive ones. The cage lacks space

to allow flight and exercise with freedom of movement.” The lemur enclosure had an “accumulation of urine and

brownish fecal matter”; the inspector also noted, “Animals are in contact with excreta. More frequent cleaning is

needed.” The new enclosure for the chimpanzee “does not provide sufficient space.” The environmental enrichment

plan for primates was incomplete and was not being followed; the inspector wrote, “The infants that are hand reared

are not addressed and how the special attention is given after they are separated from the mother.” The chimpanzee

named Toot is still isolated from other primates, and the environmental enrichment plan does not address his special

needs.

November 20, 2001: The USDA cited Stump Hill Farm for failure to correct a previously identified noncompliance of

not providing minimum space to a chimpanzee. Stump Hill Farm was also cited for failure to provide access to

veterinary care records and the primate enrichment plan.

Source:  http://www.mediapeta.com/peta/pdf/Stump-Hill-Farm-pdf.pdf

Selling Tiger Cubs to School for Mascots

The following is the transcript from a radio interview with Alan Rabinowitz and other tiger experts at

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2011-12-12/concerns-over-endangered-tiger-population/transcript

REHM

In images that others have provided they have shown Sophia the white tiger and Geno the tiger, but none can be found of Gabby the tiger that came from Joe Schreibvogel’s GW Exotic Animal breeding compound.

John & Pam PAPE 
Wild Woods Animal Park

12 Wild Woods Lane
Cherry Grove Twp. Clarendon, PA 16313
Email: papescollision@westpa.net
Telephone: 814 968 9144
FAX: 814 968 9144

This facility is not listed by this name nor are there any wildlife facilities licensed by USDA as of this writing.

What is not included in the press release below is that Joe Schreibvogel’s G.W. Exotic Animal Park in 2009 allegedly SENT a liger and a leopard TO Springhill Wildlife Park.

/24-7PressRelease/ - WYNNEWOOD, OK, April 27, 2008 – Preparations are at a fevered pitch this week at G.W. Exotic Animal Park as the facility anticipates the arrival of two more tigers in jeopardy from Springhill Wildlife Park in Calvert, TX.

The two mixed-breed tigers are the last of a total of 11 tigers waiting to be taken in from Springhill’s facility near Bryan/College Station TX since August of last year.

The Wynnewood, OK facility received over 18 animals from Springhill in August 2007, many requiring surgeries and and veterinary rehabilitation services stretching the park’s budget. “We won’t be sure of their condition until after they arrive and are fully inspected by our vet,” says Joe Schreibvogel, president and director of G.W. Exotic Animal Park. “As a 100% donor-funded organization, we will need the help of our kind supporters with their ongoing care and any rehabilitation they might be in need of.”

Of the 18 animals rescued last year, 11 were tigers. Many of the 11 suffered missing toes, feet and damage from botched prior surgeries. Jalo a mixed breed tiger and one of rescued 11 had been hit so hard, her right eye and part of her skull had to be removed. Due to the extensive efforts of the G.W. Animal Park, all but 2 of the tigers were saved and now remain happy and healthy at the park.

The two new rescued tigers, upon arrival will remain quarantined for 30 days while they are thoroughly examined by the park’s vet and properly nourished. Once cleared, they may live out their their days at the refuge in Wynnewood under the quality care of the park’s USDA licensed staff or find other cozy accommodations as a donation to another reputable licensed refuge center or zoo.

If they are to remain at the G.W. Exotic Park in Wynnewood, OK, they will require sponsorship for their cages. Individuals or companies wishing to sponsor one of the new tigers are encouraged to call 405-665-5197 and speak with Joe Schreibvogel or Colt Baldwin.

G.W. Exotic Animal Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization founded by the Schreibvogel family. Its purpose is to rescue, rehabilitate and provide safe-haven (refuge) to unwanted and endangered exotic animals. The 16 acre facility in Oklahoma is the nations largest big cat rescue center.

POWELL — The federal government says the Columbus Zoo is to blame for the death of a leopard that survived last year’s Zanesville escape.

The cat was killed while being transferred to a new cage at the zoo in January.

A newly released U.S. Department of Agriculture report attributes the leopard’s death to a lack of employees and proper training:

“Closing the shift door at the wrong time, and not having enough people present to shift the cat safely directly resulted in the cat’s death.”

The leopard was one of six exotic animals to survive after Terry Thompson released dozens in October, 2011. Thompson then committed suicide.

http://www.abc6onyourside.com/shared/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wsyx_vid_17145.shtml

Tiger Paw Exotic Rescue Center’s youngest remaining tigers, Nora and Katie, 10 and 7, respectively, will depart to Wildcat Haven in Sherwood, Ore., in May.

Flores, founder of the rescue center at 820 Ohio 511, eight miles north of Ashland, previously sent Nikita, a 7-year-old tiger, and Tasha, an 11-year old cougar, to new homes at The Wildcat Sanctuary in Minnesota. Her remaining cats are older: Sammie, 16; Delilah, 15; Ticha, 13; and Taz, 14.

The Ohio Senate passed a bill Wednesday banning new ownership of exotic animals. The vote was 30-1. The bill, which next goes to the House, will allow existing owners such as Flores to keep their animals if they obtain state-issued permits by 2014.

Flores began looking for new homes because she might not be able to afford the cats if Ohio requires difficult-to-obtain insurance and expensive microchip tracking.

The Ashland County resident said Wednesday she also has been worried about finding permanent places for her youngest animals before she reaches an age where she no longer can care for them.

Flores testified before the Senate committee April 17. She said Ohio exotic animal owners who have acted safely and responsibly should not be punished for what happened this past fall when Zanesville-area resident Terry Thompson released almost 60 animals before taking his own life.

“Pieces of paper with strict rules and regulations do not stop what occurred in Zanesville,” Flores told the committee. “These poor animals in Zanesville did not let themselves out of their cages — an irresponsible and mentally ill man did this.”

Flores told the committee owners of exotic animals should be required to register them at a reasonable rate, or no cost.

“As far as insurance is concerned, there is only one company in the United States that is known to write policies for exotic animals,” she testified. “Microchipping of these animals is being considered.

“What about the older animals? Anesthesia is dangerous for them … they may die while under anesthesia, just to be ‘tracked,’ which is not necessary.”

Flores estimated 300 to 400 private owners of exotic species exist across Ohio.

“If it weren’t for rescue centers and sanctuaries, some breeds would be extinct,” she said. “This proposal does not recognize the good that comes from rescue centers and sanctuaries for exotic animals.

“It is not unrealistic to think that in the near future, many species may only survive in captivity. There are simply not enough zoos or public funding to save them all unless we work together and make it possible for all.”

Flores asked legislators to support regulation, “but not as strict and unattainable” as originally suggested.

Most of the exotic creatures in Ohio have been with the same owners all or most of their lives, she said.

“No one even knows they exist because their owners are responsible and have no issues or chances of escape because the owners are so safety-conscious,” Flores said. “These exotics are not ‘pets’ and having them is not a ‘hobby.’

“It is a lifetime commitment that you will find most, if not all, owners take seriously.”

Flores told the committee she believed the new law should focus concern on care for the animals.

“We should be worrying about education, caging standards, safety protocols, escape prevention plans, etc., not the broad elimination of the taking of private animals,” she said.

http://www.coshoctontribune.com/article/20120426/NEWS01/204260308

A separate enclave has been set up in the campus for Bengal tiger Vijay and the white tigresses Akansha and Namrutha at Arignar Anna Zoological Park here, officials said.

“White tigers are merely recessive mutants of Bengal tigers and on repeated mating among themselves, reproduce only white ones. This will end up having white tigers with less immunity. As an attempt to stop producing less immune white tigers and to stop dwindling numbers of Bengal tigers, we have taken this step for the first time in the country,” a zoo official said.

“Going by this attempt, the first generation cubs would be yellow-skinned Bengal tigers with strong immunity. And thereby following the same procedure for tigers born through this attempt, there was a 50 per cent chance of them reproducing strong white tigers,” the official said.

There are three Bengal tigers and nine white tigers in the 1490-acre zoo, the largest zoological park in the country.

First Published: Wednesday, April 25, 2012, 23:37

http://zeenews.india.com/news/eco-news/bengal-tiger-to-be-mated-with-two-white-tigresses_771721.html

This is not a scientific paper and just shows the ignorance of those who would propose to strengthen any animal by introducing inbred parents.

The mountain lion hunt that put California Fish and Game Commission President Daniel W. Richards in the center of a political firestorm has him in trouble again.

Tejon Ranch has agreed to pay $136,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging hunters illegally killed at least eleven mountain lions in recent years.

The suit and settlement end a nearly year long investigation into illegal hunting on the massive ranch, which stretches from the Grapevine to Arvin and beyond to Highway 58.

The investigation was sparked by a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by a former employee who said he was fired after complaining about mountain lions being illegally hunted.

At 270,000 acres, Tejon Ranch is the largest piece of private property in California. The oak-studded hills, along Interstate 5 are home to mountain lions. The animals are protected under state law and cannot be killed without a permit.

Last May, Bron Sanders, a former ranch hunting guide sued Tejon. In the lawsuit, Sanders said ranch managers gave hunting guides special perks for shooting mountain lions and even asked customers to participate.

The California Department of Fish and Game launched an extensive investigation. “They confirmed that mountain lions were killed. They were never able to determine the number. Part of that is the nature of the evidence,” said John Mitchell, Deputy District Attorney.

Mitchell said the Department of Fish and Game confirmed Sanders was involved in the killings of at least eleven mountain lions.

“I think the citizens of Kern County can feel comfortable the law applies equally. Whether it’s somebody who is out fishing without a license or a corporate citizen like Tejon Ranch,” continued Mitchell.

Tejon Ranch agreed to the settlement without admitting guilt. Barry Zoeller, the Tejon Ranch Spokesperson would not speak to 17 News on camera, but sent us a statement.

“Tejon Ranch wants to express its deep regret that such incidents took place on our property. The company is doing everything within its power to ensure that something like this never happens again,” he said.

As part of the settlement, Tejon Ranch has agreed to pay $100,000 in penalties. $21,500 in reimbursement of costs to the Department of Fish and Game and $15,000 to the Kern County Animal Control.