Zoo license holder and former cocaine trafficker Mario Tabraue, who appeared in the Netflix docuseries, said the incident was “beyond our control”
NEED TO KNOW
- The Zoological Wildlife Foundation was cited for 10 federal Animal Welfare Act violations during a USDA inspection
- Incidents included an endangered clouded leopard losing a leg and a capybara dying during separate breeding attempts
- Owner Mario Tabraue, featured in Tiger King, disputes the violations and blames PETA for targeting the facility
A Miami-Dade County wildlife attraction, known for letting visitors get up close with exotic animals and famous for its connections to Netflix’s Tiger King docuseries, has been cited by federal inspectors after an endangered clouded leopard had a limb amputated and a female capybara died, both during separate breeding attempts at the facility.
According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspection report obtained by PETA, the agency cited Zoological Wildlife Foundation (ZWF) following a routine inspection on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. The inspection, conducted by USDA veterinary medical officers, documented 10 violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act, including a critical citation for failing to ensure that animals housed together were compatible.
On Jan. 1, a female capybara was found dead inside an enclosure she shared with a male. She had been housed with him for approximately six weeks. The facility’s licensee told inspectors he was “100% certain” the male killed the female while attempting to mate. “Incompatible animals housed in the same enclosure or near each other can lead to stress, injury, and/or death,” the report highlighted…