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.
top of page
Roadside Zoo News
- Feb 6
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.
2,687 views
- Feb 6
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.
1,863 views
- Feb 3
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.
582 views
- Jan 6
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.
1,209 views
- Jan 4
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.
531 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.
286 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.
1,103 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.
296 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.
1,054 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.
4,370 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.
4,072 views
- Nov 9, 2022
Texas monkey smuggler pleads guilty
Savannah Valdez of Texas faces up to 20 years in prison for smuggling a spider monkey into the United States and then fleeing from officers.
189 views
- Nov 5, 2022
Videos show Morgan Machnik of Premier Exotics abusing animals
Premier Exotics owner Morgan Machnik abuses animals, photo and video evidence shows.
7,192 views
- Oct 27, 2022
Cy Vierstra of Union Ridge Wildlife pleads guilty to five felonies for stealing from Vinton township
Cy Vierstra of Union Ridge Wildlife Center faces up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to five felonies for stealing from his town.
830 views
- Oct 27, 2022
Gretchen Crowe and Dona Wheeler agree to settlement for lawsuit that shut down Special Memories Zoo
Gretchen Crowe and Dona Wheeler of Special Memories Zoo have agreed to pay a settlement to Animal Legal Defense Fund.
165 views
- Oct 26, 2022
Doc Antle transfers Myrtle Beach Safari to China York
Doc Antle of Myrtle Beach Safari has turned his roadside zoo over to his partner, China York, USDA records show.
849 views
- Oct 23, 2022
Cy Vierstra of Union Ridge Wildlife Center commits fraud while on bond for felony case
Union Ridge Wildlife Center owner Cy Vierstra is fraudulently soliciting donations to cover legal fees and restitution in his criminal case.
765 views
- Oct 20, 2022
A wallaby is on the loose near Even Keel Exotics in Michigan
A wallaby is on the loose near Even Keel Exotics in Temperance, Michigan. The marsupial is believed to have been missing for a week.
534 views
- Oct 18, 2022
Cicchelli Second Chance Rescue and Exotics cited with 42 violations in the past year
Cicchelli Second Chance Rescue and Exotics has been cited with 42 violations in the past year and may lose their license to exhibit animals.
271 views
bottom of page