Carole Baskin Responds After Being Tricked Into First Interview By YouTubers: ‘I Had No Idea It Would Turn Out To Be Such A Fun Prank’

Carole Baskin has no hard feelings after being tricked by YouTubers into giving her first interview since the Tiger King documentary.

The Tiger King star and owner of Big Cat Rescue was duped last week when she thought she was speaking to Jimmy Fallon during an interview but was actually speaking with British YouTubers, Josh Pieters and Archie Manners.

After the world learned of the prank, Baskin said in a statement to ET, “I was suspicious as we were doing it because the questions appeared taped. But had no idea it would turn out to be such a fun prank. It gave us a very welcome good laugh.”

“I appreciate their cleverness and that they created their video in a way that I don’t feel was in any way mean spirited,” Baskin added.

Baskin, who is accused of killing her first husband, spoke about the effect COVID-19 is having on Big Cat Rescue in Florida to the interviewers, who were overall very kind to her.

“Unfortunately, due to the loss of tourism revenue, we had to let go of about half of our staff. Thankfully, all of our animal care is done by volunteers, so our animals are still getting their daily care,” she said during the fake interview. “After COVID-19, I just don’t know if we’re ever going to be able to do tours again.”