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Roadside Zoo News
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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.
Feb 6, 2023
6,587 views


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.
Feb 6, 2023
3,492 views


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.
Feb 3, 2023
1,347 views


Two monkeys missing after the latest act of vandalism at Dallas Zoo
Two monkeys reported missing by the Dallas Zoo are the latest victims in a string of vandalism at the Texas zoo.
Jan 30, 2023
206 views


A dozen monkeys stolen from a Louisiana zoo
At least 12 monkeys were stolen from Zoosiana in Broussard, Louisiana on January 28, 2023.
Jan 30, 2023
302 views


Federal report: Cheetah dies after eating a lunch box at Montgomery Zoo
A cheetah died after consuming parts of a lunch box that was dropped into his enclosure at Montgomery Zoo in Alabama.
Jan 18, 2023
461 views


Missing and presumed dead: Dog at Rustic Retreat Deer Park
Another animal is missing and presumed dead at the roadside zoo Rustic Retreat Deer Park near Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.
Jan 11, 2023
703 views


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.
Jan 6, 2023
1,474 views


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.
Jan 4, 2023
2,828 views


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.
Dec 20, 2022
462 views


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.
Dec 2, 2022
1,733 views


Rustic Retreat Deer Park ordered to stop public wolfdog sessions or be fined $500 per day
Rustic Retreat Deer Park owner Tom Mueller must stop letting the public interact with wolfdogs or be fined $500 per day, a judge has ruled.
Nov 28, 2022
1,045 views


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.
Nov 22, 2022
712 views


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.
Nov 21, 2022
2,835 views


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.
Nov 20, 2022
6,269 views


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.
Nov 13, 2022
6,743 views


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.
Nov 9, 2022
265 views


Videos show Morgan Machnik of Premier Exotics abusing animals
Premier Exotics owner Morgan Machnik abuses animals, photo and video evidence shows.
Nov 5, 2022
8,371 views


Montana woman charged for killing and skinning a dog she thought was a wolf
Amber Barnes of Montana has been charged with animal cruelty for shooting and skinning a dog that she mistook for a wolf.
Oct 28, 2022
1,501 views


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.
Oct 27, 2022
1,398 views
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