MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA: Waccatee Zoo, a Myrtle Beach roadside establishment, has decided to permanently close its doors after finalizing a federal lawsuit with PETA that accused it of gross animal abuse, including depriving them of food and water and confining some of them to live in solitary enclosures.

The animal rights organization labeled the Waccatee Zoo, which has been operating for almost 35 years, "one of the worst roadside zoos in America," as per reports of Daily Mail.

Why did PETA sue Waccatee Zoo?

PETA reportedly filed a lawsuit against the Waccatee Zoo in April 2022, alleging that its managers had mistreated the animals in several ways, leading to the establishment shutting down.

The organization filed a complaint against the zoo on the grounds that it confines and exhibits more than 460 animals in subpar conditions in violation of the federal Endangered Species Act and South Carolina's public nuisance legislation, as per Daily Mail.

Who owns the Waccatee Zoo?

Kathleen Futrell and her son, Jeff Futrell, are the owners of the Waccatee Zoo, and they agreed to never reopen the establishment owing to the PETA lawsuit. Additionally, the owners committed never to own or exhibit wild animals, breed pets, or operate at zoos that are not accredited.

Following the completion of the lawsuit's proceedings, PETA stated, "This victory blocks Waccatee's operators from ever again mistreating wild animals as they did for decades," in a statement.

The organization added, "PETA is delighted to see the survivors thriving in their new sanctuary home and will continue to ask everyone to help us advocate for all animals still trapped in roadside zoos by never patronizing such operations."

What are the zoo owners accused of?

A zoo's proprietors were charged with neglecting to give one of their tigers the needed veterinary attention, resulting in starvation and eventual death. The Futrells have refuted every claim of animal maltreatment.

However, according to reports, parrots at the zoo were kept in "cramped, unsanitary cages" where they could not spread their wings, much less fly.

PETA further claimed that two lions were confined to tiny cages, making it impossible for them to engage in natural behaviors like running and playing that are essential to their species.

Has Waccatee Zoo ever received any complaints?

The Waccatee Zoo allegedly produced more than 150 complaints to PETA, the most of any zoo or tourist destination in the US. Alarmingly, the establishment received fines of several thousand dollars in 2020 and 2021 for violations found during the yearly US Department of Agriculture inspection.

Moreover, over the years, photos taken from the zoo frequently depicted creatures who appeared to be in pain. Some exhibited severe wounds, while others appeared to be balding or underweight to the point that their skeletons were apparent through fur, as per Daily Mail.

Where is the Waccatee Zoo's location?

The Waccatee Zoo is located about a 10-minute drive from Doc Antle's Myrtle Beach Safari, run by the 'Tiger King' actor, whose dubious treatment of the animals on the property was called out after he was featured in a Netflix documentary.