Urging the USDA to Investigate Imperiled Lions languishing at Texas Roadside Zoo

The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, which enforce the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA), respectively, to compel the agencies to confiscate two ESA-protected white lion sisters who are apparently experiencing symptoms of a severe medical condition. Footage documented at a Texas facility called Sharkarosa Zoo shows one of the lions, Nzuri, struggling to walk and stand, while Kali did not attempt to stand when observed. Veterinarians who documented the footage conclude that both lions are in desperate need of appropriate medical care and proper housing. The complaint asserts that the animals should be moved to a sanctuary that is accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, and the federal government should suspend and then revoke the facility’s AWA license.

Footage shows Nzuri clearly displaying a significant medical condition, and Sharkarosa Zoo’s own signage says that both lions have been suffering with mobility issues since as early as 2023.

The condition apparently results in an inability to walk, lie down, and get up from a lying down position without significant struggle due to severe incoordination and imbalance, which can cause confusion, anxiety, fear, distress, frustration, and prolonged suffering.

The unstable movement and inability to engage in healthy levels of coordinated movements causes muscle wasting, which puts extra pressure on the joints pre-disposing them to joint disease and pain.

The disease is limiting their ability to seek water and shade and remove themselves from uncomfortable positions.

Adding to their distress, footage shows these lions need much better housing that provides greater safety and comfort and serves their medical needs. They are in need of housing that is quiet, away from public gaze, with access to comfortable indoor space and ample soft surfaces to reduce the risk of injury.

The lions at Sharkarosa Zoo are protected animals under federal law. The AWA requires licensed animal exhibitors to demonstrate adequate experience and care for these animals, but the lions at Sharkarosa Zoo do not appear to be receiving adequate veterinary care. The ESA prohibits the harassment of protected animals, such as failing to provide proper medical care, which appears to be the situation at Sharkarosa Zoo.

Captive white lions like Nzuri and Kali are the result of genetic inbreeding that can cause numerous issues due to a lack of genetic diversity, including compromised immune systems and spinal issues. Roadside zoo operators create these issues, and it typically is left to organizations like ALDF and reputable sanctuaries to end the exploitation and rescue the victims.

Photos and video of the lions are available upon request.

What action was taken: ALDF filed a complaint letter with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to compel the agencies to rescue and relocate two federally protected white lions with severe medical conditions from a Texas facility called Sharkarosa Zoo.

Why this action is important: Roadside zoos dot the American landscape. They’re generally small menageries where wild animals such as lions, tigers, primates, wolves, birds, reptiles, and others are kept in captivity, and often suffer badly.

The animals frequently live in small, dirty cages. They are fed inadequate food and are denied medical care. They have little in the way of mental stimulation — often, not even the company of other animals, since many roadside zoos keep animals confined alone in their cages. Sometimes, roadside zoos also encourage dangerous interactions between animals and visitors, such as bottle-feeding bear cubs.

These facilities continue to operate due to a patchwork of mostly lax state and federal laws and lax enforcement of those laws.