Challenging Cricket Hollow Zoos Treatment of Endangered Lions (2016)
Animal Legal Defense Fund v Tom and Pamela Sellner
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit against the Cricket Hollow Zoo for their treatment of African Lions under the Endangered Species Act.
Next Step
Case Closed
In 2016, while the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s first case against Cricket Hollow Zoo was still pending, we filed our second lawsuit against Cricket Hollow based on violations of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) after African Lions were added to the Endangered Species list.
We filed this second lawsuit when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service added lions to the list of ESA-protected species in late 2015. The lawsuit aimed to protect two lionesses named Jonwah and Njjarra. Visitors to the zoo in June and July 2016 had reported both lionesses in distress, exhibiting illness and vomiting.
The federal judge agreed with the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s grave concerns about the lionesses’ condition and ordered the Sellners to permit a qualified veterinarian to examine them.
The parties settled soon after the examination, with Cricket Hollow agreeing to allow Jonwah and Njjarra to be transferred to The Wild Animal Sanctuary, a large sanctuary in Colorado.
Njjarra after her release from quarantine - has acres to roam.
Adapting to life at the sanctuary
Njjarra adapting to life at the sanctuary
Jonwah required emergency surgery to remove bedding she had eaten, due to lack of food at Cricket Hollow Zoo.
Say No to Roadside Zoos
Bears, lions, and other animals languish in roadside zoos across the country. Animals live in cruel conditions, confined to small cages without the enrichment they need to lead full, happy lives. Protect animals by boycotting roadside zoos.
Recent News
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The Animal Legal Defense Fund Applauds Long Overdue Closure of ‘Tiger King’ Zoo, Urges Animals Be Transferred to Sanctuary
The Animal Legal Defense Fund applauds the closure of the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park, the zoo depicted in the Netflix documentary, “Tiger King,” following the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) suspension of its owner’s exhibitor license.August 20, 2020 News -
Infamous Tiger Truck Stop Demolishes Cage That Held Tony the Tiger
After multiple lawsuits filed and fought by the Animal Legal Defense Fund, the Tiger Truck Stop has finally stopped exhibiting animals and tore down its cages. The Tiger Truck Stop, the infamous gas station in Gross Tete, Louisiana, held Tony — an endangered Siberian-Bengal tiger — from the age of 6-months until his death at the age of 17 in 2017.July 14, 2020 Press Release -
Punk Rock Legend Iggy Pop Asks Florida Senators to Protect Big Cats
Long-time Miami resident asks Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott to co-sponsor the Big Cat Public Safety ActJune 2, 2020 Press Release
Related Cases
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Challenging Cricket Hollow Zoo’s Care of Endangered Species (2014)
Animal Legal Defense Fund v Tom and Pamela Sellner
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Compelling the USDA to Protect Primates Used in Research
New England Anti-Vivisection Society v. Goldentyer
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Protecting the Psychological Well-being of Primates Used in Research
New England Anti-Vivisection Society v. Perdue
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See MoreSay No to Roadside Zoos
Bears, lions, and other animals languish in roadside zoos across the country. Animals live in cruel conditions, confined to small cages without the enrichment they need to lead full, happy lives. Protect animals by boycotting roadside zoos.