Carole Baskin Sells Joe Exotic’s Former Zoo With Stipulations

After taking control of Tiger King Joe Exotic’s former zoo last year, Big Cat Rescue is taking steps to ensure it will longer be associated with its former owner or operate as a zoo.

Carole Baskin’s Big Cat Rescue recently sold the property in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, to a couple, Francisco and Nelly Vazquez, back in June. The former G.W. Zoo sold for $140,000, and the sale included several stipulations.

Baskin, and her husband Howard, confirmed to TMZ that the new owners are barred from using the property as a zoo, wildlife park, or menagerie for 100 years. The Vazquez’s are also unable to name any new business after Joe Exotic, G.W. Zoo, or anything including the words “big cat” or “tiger.”

Baskin told the outlet that she thinks it could be turned into an RV park, thanks to its close proximity to an interstate.

A judge granted big Cat Rescue control over Joe Exotic’s zoo to satisfy her $1 million judgment against him. The two were embroiled in a bitter trademark infringement lawsuit over logos and images Exotic used that were very similar to those of Big Cat Rescue. 

Exotic is currently incarcerated for hiring someone to kill Baskin. He was initially sentenced to 22 years in prison but is awaiting resentencing.