Tiger World zoo voicing opposition after Big Cat Public Safety Act passes

ROCKWELL, N.C. — A Rowan County zoo is voicing its opposition to a bill that would place restrictions on big cats.

The Big Cat Public Safety Act prevents people keeping tigers, lions and other big cats as pets. It would also ban public contact with those animals.

Tiger World, located in Rockwell, told Channel 9 it is against the measure. It claims the new bill will result in its intern and adoption programs being halted, and restrict the private zoo sector.

The legislation was introduced long before the Netflix “Tiger King” Series, but the documentary that debuted in 2020 put a bigger spotlight on the treatment of Big Cats.

The U.S. Senate passed the Big Cat Public Safety Act, H.R. 263, on Friday by Unanimous Consent, which completed Congressional work on the subject four months after the House passed the measure.

Under the new bill, current owners of big cats would be able to keep them, as long as they don’t breed them.

The bill will now head to the desk of President Joe Biden, who is expected to sign the legislation.

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