Challenging Landry’s Treatment of Endangered Tigers
Cheryl Conley v. Houston Aquarium, Inc.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit against Houston’s Downtown Aquarium and Landry’s Inc., alleging violations of the federal Endangered Species Act due to the conditions in which its four tigers are kept captive.
Next Step
In 2017, the Animal Legal Defense Fund filed suit against Houston’s Downtown Aquarium and Landry’s Inc., alleging violations of the federal Endangered Species Act due to the treatment of four tigers, who are kept in substandard conditions, namely an indoor-only facility that lacks access to the outdoors.
The suit was brought on behalf of Houston-area resident Cheryl Conley. It was filed after Landry’s declined the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s 2016 request that the four tigers be transferred to a reputable, accredited sanctuary at no cost to Landry’s. We gave notice at that time that we would file a lawsuit if the offer was declined.
The tigers at the heart of the case — Nero, Marina, Coral and Reef — have been housed indoors at the Downtown Aquarium for more than 13 years without adequate access to sunlight, fresh air, or natural surfaces.
These living conditions are inadequate for tigers and violate the Endangered Species Act — the ESA — which has protected tigers since 1970, and applies to captive animals. In 2018, a three-judge panel of the Eighth Circuit issued a unanimous decision upholding the application of the ESA to captive animals.
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Recent News
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Big Cat Public Safety Act Passes the U.S. Senate in Victory for Animals
The bill helps end the rampant abuse of tigers and other big cats in captivity by banning private possessionDecember 6, 2022 Press Release -
Endangered Species Act Rollbacks Reversed After Animal Legal Defense Fund Lawsuit
U.S. District Court has ruled in favor of the Animal Legal Defense Fund following its lawsuit to vacate rules imposed by the U.S. Department of the Interior in 2019 under the Trump administration that weakened the Endangered Species Act (ESA).July 8, 2022 Press Release -
Animal Legal Defense Fund Adds $5,000 to Reward in Case of Endangered Red Wolf Shooting
Reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for illegally shooting and killing a red wolf in Tyrrell County, North Carolina.May 24, 2022 Press Release
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