Waccatee Zoo in Myrtle Beach to stay closed after years of allegations of animal abuse including denying food and water

A roadside zoo in Myrtle Beach has been permanently closed following a federal lawsuit settlement with PETA.

The nearly 35-year-old Waccatee Zoo was called “one of the worst roadside zoos in America” ​​by the national animal rights group.

Last spring, PETA sued the zoo, accusing the operators of abusing the animals in a number of ways, including not providing enough food and water for the animals and forcing some to live in solitary confinement.

The zoo, which was once home to 460 animals, was closed last year because of the lawsuit.

As part of the settlement, zoo owners Kim and Jeff Futrell agreed never to reopen the attraction. They also agreed never to own or display wild animals, breed pets, or work or volunteer at non-accredited zoos.

The case against the roadside zoo has since been settled. PETA calls the regulation a victory for animal rights

The zoo, which was once home to 460 animals, was closed last year because of the lawsuit

At the conclusion of the lawsuit, PETA released a statement: “This victory will stop Waccatee operators from ever again mistreating wildlife as they have done for decades.”

“PETA is thrilled to see the survivors thriving in their new shelter and will continue to ask everyone to help us advocate for all animals still trapped in roadside zoos by never patronizing such operations.”

The owners of the zoo were accused of not providing proper veterinary care to one of the tigers, leading to her malnutrition and eventual death.

The Futrells have denied all allegations of animal cruelty.

Parrots at the zoo were reportedly confined to “cramped, unsanitary cages,” where they could barely stretch their wings, let alone take off in flight.

Two lions were forced into small cages, which necessarily prevented them from participating in activities such as running and playing that are typical of their species, PETA said.

In addition, PETA has claimed that the Waccatee Zoo has generated more than 150 complaints to their organization — the most of any zoo or attraction in the US.

In both 2020 and 2021, the zoo was fined several thousand dollars for violations discovered during the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s annual inspection.

Zoo photos over the years routinely showed animals that appeared to be suffering. Some had serious injuries, while others appeared to be losing their hair or were so malnourished that their skeletons were visible under the fur.

The zoo’s location is just a 10-minute drive from Doc Antle’s Myrtle Beach Safari, which is operated by the Tiger King star, who became famous for his questionable handling of the wildlife on the property and has been featured in a Netflix documentary.

In June, Antle was convicted on several counts of wildlife trafficking and conspiracy to traffick wildlife. Although the Myrtle Beach Safari still appears to be operational.

Zoo photos over the years routinely showed animals that appeared to be suffering

Some had serious injuries, while others appeared to be losing their hair or were so malnourished that their skeletons were exposed under the fur and feathers

The animals were reportedly kept in cages that were much too small for them; some were kept in solitary confinement

The owners – Jeff and Kim Futrell – agreed never to reopen the zoo or run a zoo again

The owners of the zoo could not be reached when DailyMail.com reached out following reports of the final closure. Their lawyer stressed that his clients’ choice to settle is not an admission of guilt.

“There has been no court ruling that my clients abused animals,” said Reese Boyd, the couple’s attorney.

He also disputed the accuracy of some parts of PETA’s press release.

“If they want to capture the bears, that’s fine. The bears were in a zoo. If that means to you that the bears were trapped, fine. Can the bears roam free in 707 and tear up a toddler at 7-Eleven? No, they were behind bars,” he said.

Boyd filed a letter to the court last year explaining that the zoo’s U.S. Department of Agriculture permit had expired in September and his clients had chosen not to renew it.

“Due to the ongoing cost of this lawsuit and other considerations, my client has determined that the only viable option is to close the zoo and cease any further operations,” the letter read.

Boyd claimed that the zoo was already approaching the end of its commercially viable life before the lawsuit, although the financial burden of lawsuits became difficult for customers and was a factor in their decision to close the operation.

“Many generations of schoolchildren have grown up at Waccatee Zoo. It is sad that the zoo will no longer be here,” said Boyd Mail and courier.