| Date opened | 1997 |
|---|---|
| Location | Wynnewood, Oklahoma |
| Land area | 16 acres (0.065 km2) |
| Number of animals | 1400 |
| Number of species | 128 |
The G.W. Exotic Animal Foundation, also known as G.W. Exotic Animal Memorial Foundation[1] and the G.W. Exotic Animal Park,[2] is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in the United States. The organization's stated purpose is to provide care and shelter for exotic animals. It was founded in 1997 by the Schreibvogel Family of Springer, Oklahoma in memory of their late son Garold Schreibvogal (G.W.) who died in an automobile accident with a drunk driver.[3] The current president is Joe Schreibvogel.[4][5]
The foundation is supported by donations and visitors to the park as well as tours to malls and other businesses where the public can pose with a tiger cub for a fee.[6][2] The foundation maintains its commitment to the breeding, rescue, care of endangered and exotic species of animals.[2]
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The G.W. Exotic Animal Park is situated on 16 acres (0.065 km2) and began as a shelter for endangered and exotic species of animals. It currently houses and cares for over 128 species of animals and over 182 big cats.[7] In total, the park has approximately 1400 animals under its care and shelter during the year.[2]
The park itself offers tours and educational programs for visitors, all in keeping with the G.W. Exotic Animal Foundation's main cause of advocacy for the animals it hosts.[2] The park has been visited by people from all fifty states, along with international visitors from over two hundred countries.[8]
The G.W. Exotic Animal Park breeds inbred and crossbred exotic species.[9] The resulting baby animals are then taken in a semi trailer around the midwest to malls for pay to play sessions. The animal park has been breeding exotic animals since 1997.[2]
In 2011 Inside Edition exposed the use of sick cubs that were bred by Joe Schreibvogel for use as petting props.[10]
In 2004, the animal park was accused by animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) of harboring dying and injured animals in crowded conditions with a lack of food, water, veterinary care and insufficient and untrained staff. These complaints were partially based on a Consent Decision and Order from the United States Department of Agriculture for willful violations of the Animal Welfare Act. In its decision, the USDA claimed that the park failed to provide adequate veterinary care, safe enclosures, clean food, clean shelter, and trained employees. The park failed to maintain records and to keep animals safely constrained to avoid injuries to the public. The park was fined $25,000 and their USDA display permit was suspended. The park's USDA license was reinstated when it complied with USDA regulations.[1]
Between February and June 2006 PETA had an investigator[11] pose as an CW Exotic Animal Foundation employee who alleged having witnessed many occasions of animal cruelty and neglect.[12]
The park also has a 20.6 mile lake resort with camping and fishing. The lake is stocked with fish and primitive camping and cabins are available.[13]
G.W. Exotic is licensed by the State of Oklahoma as a rendering facility.[14] President Joe Schreibvogel, uses the stage name Joe Exotic at offsite appearances in a show entitled “Mystical Magic of the Endangered” at which he displays baby wild animals.[15]
The park was featured in a BBC documentary hosted by UK-based journalist Louis Theroux, titled America's Most Dangerous Pets.[16][17]
G.W. Exotic Animal Memorial Park is located between Oklahoma City and Dallas.[2]