Winchester, Va. – Doc Antle, the animal trainer famous for his appearance in the popular Netflix series “Tiger King,” has been given a two-year suspension after pleading guilty to wildlife trafficking in Virginia, according to a statement from the state attorney general’s office. Attorney General Jason Miares announced that Antle will also be prohibited from owning or handling exotic wild animals in the state for a period of five years.
Antle faced allegations of purchasing endangered lion cubs illegally in Frederick County, Virginia, with the intention of displaying and profiting from them at his South Carolina zoo. A jury found him guilty in June on two counts of wildlife trafficking and conspiracy to traffic wildlife, resulting in a 20-year prison sentence.
Owner of Myrtle Beach Safari, Antle gained fame for his appearance in the Netflix documentary miniseries “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness,” which focused on individuals involved in tiger ranching.
Prosecutors argued that Antle’s petting zoo at Myrtle Beach Safari incentivized him to maintain a steady supply of young lion cubs, leading to illegal exchanges in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
In response to the case, Miares emphasized the significance of the prosecution’s message. “In Virginia, we uphold the rule of law without exception, whether dealing with violent repeat offenders, big pharma, fraudsters and scammers, or wildlife traffickers,” he stated.
FAQ:
Q: What was Doc Antle’s punishment for wildlife trafficking?
A: Doc Antle was given a two-year suspension and a five-year ban on owning or handling exotic wild animals in Virginia.
Q: What was Doc Antle’s involvement in the “Tiger King” series?
A: Doc Antle was featured in the Netflix documentary miniseries “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness,” which shed light on the world of tiger ranching and its controversial figures.
Q: Why was Doc Antle convicted of wildlife trafficking?
A: Antle was convicted for illegally purchasing endangered lion cubs and engaging in wildlife trafficking for the purpose of exhibiting and profiting from them at his zoo in South Carolina.
Q: What message did the prosecution of this case aim to convey?
A: The prosecution of Doc Antle’s case seeks to emphasize Virginia’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, regardless of the nature of the offenders, be it violent criminals, pharmaceutical companies, fraudsters, scammers, or wildlife traffickers.
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