‘Tiger King’ Update: Is Carole Baskin Really Going To Take Over Joe Exotic’s Former Zoo?

Big cat rescue advocate Carole Baskin has been awarded control over the Oklahoma zoo once controlled by the controversial Joe Exotic. Baskin and Exotic’s heated conflict over the protection and care of large cats formed the basis of Netflix’s hugely popular documentary series, “Tiger King.”

On Monday, Baskin was awarded the 16-acres of land in Garvin County, Oklahoma, as part of an ongoing lawsuit between her Big Cat Rescue Corporation and Exotic’s Greater Wynnewood Development Group. The decision was passed down by a federal judge in Oklahoma.

Under the order, the zoo, currently operated by Jeff Lowe, has 120 days to vacate the land, including the removal of the many animals currently being held there. She is also entitled to numerous vehicles and buildings on the property.

According to the zoo’s legal team, the move was not unexpected, as Lowe did not attempt to challenge Baskin and is currently focused on different ventures.

“We anticipated Carol Baskin getting the title to the former park that once belonged to Joe Exotic, and we did not challenge her attempts to do so,” Lowe’s attorney told CNN. “All of Jeff's focus is on opening the new Tiger King Park in Thackerville, (Oklahoma), which should be opening in the next 120 days.”

Baskin and Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Allen Maldonado-Passage, feuded over their differing approaches to big cat care for many years, with Baskin accusing Exotic of abusing his animals. Exotic often took to social media to accuse Baskin of smearing him and attempting to sabotage his business.

Exotic was convicted in 2019 of conspiring to have Baskin murdered by a hitman and is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence. His other charges included falsifying forms for the interstate sale of animals, illegally selling animals, and killing five tigers in 2017.

Baskin has not responded to requests to comment on the situation.

Exotic's Twitter page on Tuesday included a message opposing the decision but declined to comment further on the matter in solidarity with the protests currently taking place nationwide. On Monday, the account posted another in a long series of hand-written messages from Exotic calling for a presidential pardon.