Popularity of Netflix series 'Tiger King' impacting Minnesota wildcat sanctuary
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It's a docuseries that's taken the world by storm.
Netflix's "Tiger King" gives viewers an intimate look at some of America's most notorious exotic animal owners.
The popularity of the series is bringing attention to The Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone, Minnesota.
Founder Tammy Thies said the sanctuary is home to more than 100 rescued wildcats.
"Right now, we see a lot more cougars, lynx and smaller exotics owned in Minnesota, but I can guess there's still a few tigers and lions kept behind closed doors as well," Thies said.
A worker looks down near a mural depicting Joseph Maldonado-Passage, also known as as "Joe Exotic," in Dallas, Friday, April 10, 2020. The Netflix series "Tiger King," has become popular watching during the COVID-19 outbreak. Maldonado-Passage was convicted in an unsuccessful murder-for-hire plot.[AP Photo/LM Otero]
Thies believes the "Tiger King" series will help wildcat sanctuaries in their mission to save animals.
"Our industry has been impacted because it takes our rescue work and now puts it in mainstream pop culture," Thies said. "As long as we can get past focusing and buying and selling merchandise about the characters in the documentary and actually start talk about the victims in the documentary, the animals."
Right now, the sanctuary is offering a "Tiger Amnesty Week." The sanctuary will take in any big cat at no cost to the owner.
*EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to the correct name of the founder and CEO of the big cat sanctuary in Minnesota.