King Kong Zoological Park
Charlene Salzer, Mary Elder, and Martha Buffington v. King Kong Zoo, and John Curtis
In 2014 the Animal Legal Defense Fund brought a lawsuit against the King Kong Zoological Park, an unaccredited roadside zoo in Murphy, North Carolina, for violating the state's animal cruelty laws.
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In 2014, the Animal Legal Defense Fund brought a lawsuit against the King Kong Zoological Park, an unaccredited roadside zoo in Murphy, North Carolina. The lawsuit alleged that King Kong’s inhumane treatment of its captive animals violated North Carolina’s state animal cruelty laws.
Bears, tigers and a chimpanzee named Archie were confined to small, near-empty enclosures with concrete floors where they were deprived of company and mental and physical stimulation. Their bodies and minds deteriorated in this environment.
Shortly after the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s lawsuit was filed, King Kong Zoo voluntarily closed its doors. We tried to help place King Kong Zoo’s animals at sanctuaries, but the zoo ignored our efforts and most were sold to other roadside zoos.
In January 2015, Archie the chimpanzee tragically died in a fire at Hollywild, another roadside zoo, in South Carolina – Hollywild had been repeatedly cited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for Animal Welfare Act violations prior to the fire.
A consent decree was entered into in 2017, prohibiting King Kong’s owner from owning or working with any wild, nonnative or exotic animals for 15 years.
Recent News
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After Groundbreaking Animal Rights Ruling, Islamabad High Court Continues to Affirm Original Decision
In the months following a groundbreaking decision from the Islamabad High Court in Pakistan that animals have legal and natural rights, Chief Justice Athar Minallah issued three subsequent orders, each affirming the court’s original ruling and expressing continued interest in the animals’ well-being.February 19, 2021 Animal Law Update -
Lawsuit Challenges University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Censorship of Controversial Primate Research on Instagram and Facebook Accounts
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit on behalf of Madeline Krasno, a former employee of one of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's controversial primate research labs, who has been prevented from posting truthful comments on the university’s otherwise public Instagram and Facebook posts.February 9, 2021 Press Release -
Wisconsin Roadside Zoo Owner and Manager Banned from Possessing and Working with Animals
The court’s decision ensures Special Memories Zoo is permanently closed following Animal Legal Defense Fund lawsuitJanuary 15, 2021 Press Release
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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.