top of page
Roadside Zoo News
Dec 22, 2023
Texas roadside zoo owner Jason Clay cooperates with feds for lesser sentence
Texas roadside zoo owner Jason Clay has entered into a plea agreement that requires him to cooperate with officials by providing information
3,427 views
Dec 19, 2023
Natural Bridge Zoo animal forfeiture hearing moves forward
A judge ruled against an attorney for Natural Bridge Zoo today, indicating a forfeiture hearing for 95 seized animals will move forward.
670 views
Aug 22, 2023
Feds shut down Even Keel Exotics and seize 142 animals
Even Keel Exotics has been permanently shut down and the feds plan to confiscate 142 animals from roadside zoo owner Zachery Keeler.
2,104 views
Aug 10, 2023
Cicchelli Second Chance Rescue and Exotics permanently shut down by feds
Cicchelli Second Chance Rescue and Exotics, a roadside zoo in Lake City, Michigan, has been permanently shut down by federal officials.
3,313 views
Jul 28, 2023
Bill Zelenski sentenced to life in prison for Waupaca murder over stolen reptiles
William Zelenski will be eligible for parole in 35 years after being found guilty of killing a Waupaca teen over stolen reptiles.
2,588 views
Jun 8, 2023
MToxins Venom Lab fined for hiding the death of bald eagle
MToxins Venom Lab in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, has been fined for falsifying documents to hide the death of a bald eagle.
6,860 views
Apr 18, 2023
Cy Vierstra used stolen money to buy exotic animals, hot tubs, kayaks and items for his roadside zoo
Cy Vierstra of Union Ridge Wildlife Center used stolen money to purchase exotic animals, kayaks, hot tubs and items for his roadside zoo.
3,454 views
Apr 13, 2023
Animal welfare unknown at Even Keel Exotics after ten missed inspections
Even Keel Exotics in Michigan has missed 83% of USDA inspections in the past year, with ongoing concerns for the welfare of the animals.
735 views
Feb 22, 2023
Union Ridge Wildlife Center animals being rehomed while Cy Vierstra heads to prison
The animals at Union Ridge Wildlife Center are being rehomed, according to Ohio officials, weeks after Cy Vierstra was sentenced to prison.
10,619 views
Feb 6, 2023
Cy Vierstra of Union Ridge Wildlife Center sentenced to prison for theft of $287,000 in town funds
Cy Vierstra will spend five years in prison for stealing township funds to finance his roadside zoo Union Ridge Wildlife Center.
6,448 views
Feb 6, 2023
Mother sentenced to 15 years in prison for her role in son's murder over stolen reptiles
Tiffany Powell of Waupaca was sentenced to 15 years in prison for her role in the murder of her son during a dispute over stolen reptiles.
3,455 views
Feb 3, 2023
Morgan Machnik of Premier Exotics cited for abusing servals; releasing bobcat
Morgan Machnik of Premier Exotics cited with four federal violations for abusing servals and releasing a captive bobcat into the woods.
1,292 views
Jan 6, 2023
Union Ridge Wildlife Center's USDA license canceled in advance of Cy Vierstra's felony sentencing
Cy Vierstra of Union Ridge Wildlife Center has cancelled his USDA license while awaiting sentencing on five felonies for theft.
1,455 views
Jan 4, 2023
Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary cited with a critical violation for tiger cub drowning deaths
Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary has been cited with a critical violation after two tiger cubs drowned in an icy pond.
2,457 views
Dec 20, 2022
President Biden signs Big Cat Public Safety Act into law
The Big Cat Public Safety Act has been signed into law by Joe Biden, putting an end to cub petting in the United States.
453 views
Dec 2, 2022
Waupaca mother convicted of lesser charges in son’s murder over stolen reptiles
Tiffany Powell was convicted today for her role in the death of her son, Ryelee Manente-Powell, who was shot by William Zelenski.
1,722 views
Nov 22, 2022
Special Memories Zoo owner and manager agree to pay Animal Legal Defense Fund $130,000
Special Memories Zoo owner Dona Wheeler and former zookeeper Gretchen Crowe have agreed to pay Animal Legal Defense Fund $130,000.
594 views
Nov 21, 2022
East Texas Zoo and Gator Park listed for sale by Jason Clay, along with Franklin Drive Thru Safari
East Texas Zoo and Gator Park has now been listed for sale by Jason Clay, following the sale listing for Franklin Drive Thru Safari.
2,700 views
Nov 20, 2022
Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary tiger cub death toll rises to five after two cubs drown in icy pond
Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary's tiger cub death toll rises to five after two tiger cubs drowned in an icy pond during a frigid Wisconsin night.
5,682 views
Nov 13, 2022
Franklin Drive Thru Safari listed for sale after Jason Clay’s wildlife trafficking indictment
Franklin Drive Thru Safari has been listed for sale after owner Jason Clay's indictment on wildlife trafficking charges with Doc Antle.
6,628 views
bottom of page