PETA Sues To Obtain Records Of Lions Transported From Indiana

The owner of a roadside zoo in Oklahoma has three weeks to turn over medical records of four lion cubs transported to him from Indiana.

A federal judge from Indiana’s Southern District ruled Jeff Lowe, operator of the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park in Oklahoma, has to pay attorney's fees and turn over veterinary records and other documents relating to juvenile lions.

Attorney for the foundation representing People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals Asher Smith said whistleblower video showed the lions may have been suffering from a symptom called “flystrike.”

“Where flies bite their ears, lay eggs in their ears and their ears become infested with maggots.”

Lowe, who appeared in a Netflix reality show called “Tiger King," wanted to build a roadside zoo in Oklahoma.  Tim Stark, who also appeared in the show, transported the lion cubs to Lowe last summer.

Stark owns Wildlife In Need in southern Indiana.

“He tried every way he could to prevent PETA from learning what happened to Wildlife In Need’s lions after they came into his possession,” Smith said of Lowe.

Smith said in addition to health issues, the lion cubs were separated from their mothers too early.

Stark is facing a separate state investigation into animal welfare and non-profit violations at Wildlife in Need.

PETA also filed a lawsuit against Stark for violating the Endangered Species Act.