GW Exotic Animal Foundation
Encyclopedia
The G.W. Exotic Animal Foundation, also known as G.W. Exotic Animal Memorial Foundation and the G.W. Exotic Animal Park, is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in the United States
. The organization's stated purpose is to provide care and shelter for exotic animals. It was founded in 1997 by the Schreibvogel Family of Springer, Oklahoma in memory of their late son Garold Schreibvogal (G.W.) who died in an automobile accident with a drunk driver. The current president is Joe Schreibvogel.
The foundation is supported by donations and visitors to the park as well as tours to malls and other businesses where the public can pose with a tiger cub for a fee. The foundation maintains its commitment to the breeding, rescue, care of endangered and exotic species of animals.
The park itself offers tours and educational programs for visitors, all in keeping with the G.W. Exotic Animal Foundation's main cause of advocacy for the animals it hosts. The park has been visited by people from all fifty states, along with international visitors from over two hundred countries.
group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
(PETA) of harboring dying and injured animals in crowded conditions with a lack of food, water, veterinary care and insufficient and untrained staff. These complaints were partially based on a Consent Decision and Order from the United States Department of Agriculture
for willful violations of the Animal Welfare Act. In its decision, the USDA claimed that the park failed to provide adequate veterinary care, safe enclosures, clean food, clean shelter, and trained employees. The park failed to maintain records and to keep animals safely constrained to avoid injuries to the public. The park was fined $25,000 and their USDA display permit was suspended. The park's USDA license was reinstated when it complied with USDA regulations.
Between February and June 2006 PETA had an investigator pose as an CW Exotic Animal Foundation employee who alleged having witnessed many occasions of animal cruelty and neglect.
G.W. Exotic is licensed by the State of Oklahoma as a rendering facility. President Joe Schreibvogel, uses the stage name Joe Exotic at offsite appearances in a show entitled “Mystical Magic of the Endangered” at which he displays baby wild animals.
The park was featured in a BBC documentary hosted by UK-based journalist Louis Theroux
, titled America's Most Dangerous Pets
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The organization's stated purpose is to provide care and shelter for exotic animals. It was founded in 1997 by the Schreibvogel Family of Springer, Oklahoma in memory of their late son Garold Schreibvogal (G.W.) who died in an automobile accident with a drunk driver. The current president is Joe Schreibvogel.
The foundation is supported by donations and visitors to the park as well as tours to malls and other businesses where the public can pose with a tiger cub for a fee. The foundation maintains its commitment to the breeding, rescue, care of endangered and exotic species of animals.
Establishment
The G.W. Exotic Animal Park is situated on 16 acre (0.06474976 km²) and began as a shelter for endangered and exotic species of animals. It currently houses and cares for over 128 species of animals and over 182 big cats. In total, the park has approximately 1400 animals under its care and shelter during the year.The park itself offers tours and educational programs for visitors, all in keeping with the G.W. Exotic Animal Foundation's main cause of advocacy for the animals it hosts. The park has been visited by people from all fifty states, along with international visitors from over two hundred countries.
Breeding program
The G.W. Exotic Animal Park breeds exotic species. The resulting baby animals are then nurtured and cared for until they are ready to be moved. After consulting with other zoos, both local and international, they are transferred to where they are needed most. The animal park has successfully bred exotic animals since 1997.Accusations of animal abuse
In 2004, the animal park was accused by animal rightsAnimal rights
Animal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings...
group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is an American animal rights organization based in Norfolk, Virginia, and led by Ingrid Newkirk, its international president. A non-profit corporation with 300 employees and two million members and supporters, it claims to be the largest animal rights...
(PETA) of harboring dying and injured animals in crowded conditions with a lack of food, water, veterinary care and insufficient and untrained staff. These complaints were partially based on a Consent Decision and Order from the United States Department of Agriculture
United States Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture is the United States federal executive department responsible for developing and executing U.S. federal government policy on farming, agriculture, and food...
for willful violations of the Animal Welfare Act. In its decision, the USDA claimed that the park failed to provide adequate veterinary care, safe enclosures, clean food, clean shelter, and trained employees. The park failed to maintain records and to keep animals safely constrained to avoid injuries to the public. The park was fined $25,000 and their USDA display permit was suspended. The park's USDA license was reinstated when it complied with USDA regulations.
Between February and June 2006 PETA had an investigator pose as an CW Exotic Animal Foundation employee who alleged having witnessed many occasions of animal cruelty and neglect.
Other activities
The park also has a 20.6 mile lake resort with camping and fishing. The lake is stocked with fish and primitive camping and cabins are available.G.W. Exotic is licensed by the State of Oklahoma as a rendering facility. President Joe Schreibvogel, uses the stage name Joe Exotic at offsite appearances in a show entitled “Mystical Magic of the Endangered” at which he displays baby wild animals.
The park was featured in a BBC documentary hosted by UK-based journalist Louis Theroux
Louis Theroux
Louis Sebastian Theroux is an English broadcaster best known for his Gonzo style journalism on the television series Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends and When Louis Met.... His career started off in journalism and bears influences of notable writers in his family such as his father, Paul Theroux and...
, titled America's Most Dangerous Pets
America's Most Dangerous Pets
Louis Theroux: America's Most Dangerous Pets is a British television documentary film presented by and featuring Louis Theroux. It was first broadcast on 30 October 2011....
.