Attacks by Monkeys, Gila Monster at Miami Roadside Zoo Spark Call for Investigation

Summary:

Miami, FL – On August 6, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) demanded that the U.S. Department of Agriculture investigate Zoological Wildlife Foundation after animals injured staff and customers in a string of incidents at the Redland facility. Among the incidents were a capuchin monkey named Romeo biting three children and a Gila monster bite that put the zoo director — exotic animal enthusiast and 1980s drug kingpin Mario Tabraue — in anaphylactic shock.

PETA claims the zoo engaged in “dangerous publicity stunts and hands-on encounters that have gone horribly wrong.” The organization sent a letter to federal regulators, saying they should investigate the Miami-based zoo for potential violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) records show that in January 2022, an Endangered Species Act-protected jaguar lacerated a staff employee’s finger while being fed. The employee received stitches at the hospital. Additionally, in 2014, a white tiger bit off a construction worker’s thumb; six years later, a 40-pound chimpanzee purportedly bit a child, PETA says. Then, in 2021 and 2023, a lion cub bit guests during public encounters, according to the organization.

Action take by Born Free USA:

Notes: