Netflix's Tiger King became a cultural phenomenon during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, capturing the bizarre and tumultuous world of private zoo owner Joe Exotic and his infamous feud with Carole Baskin, the founder of Big Cat Rescue. Exotic is currently serving a 21-year prison sentence for animal rights violations and attempting to have Baskin murdered.
The series highlighted the widespread abuse of big cats in captivity, drawing attention to the issue and prompting legislative action. On December 6, the Senate unanimously passed the Big Cat Public Safety Act, following the House’s approval in July. The White House has indicated that President Biden will sign the bill into law.
The legislation bans the private ownership of big cats, including tigers and lions, and prohibits public interactions with these animals, such as paid cub-petting experiences. Current big cat owners will be allowed to keep their animals as long as they register them with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and prevent public contact.
The U.S. is home to an estimated 7,000 captive tigers, housed in zoos or with private owners. The bill, which was first introduced by Carole and Howard Baskin in 2011, failed to gain momentum until Tiger King’s release in 2020.
Carole Baskin celebrated the bill’s passage, noting, “The passage of the bill is the culmination of many years of battling narcissistic, abusive, dangerous men who dominated the cruel trade.” She added that in 10 years, most of the big cats in captivity will have passed away, and in 20 years, no big cats will be living in such conditions.
The Humane Society of the United States also praised the legislation, with CEO Kitty Block stating, “An extraordinarily cruel era for big cats in the U.S. finally comes to an end with the passage of the Big Cat Public Safety Act.”
The bill marks a significant victory for both animals and public safety, as captive big cats have been involved in over 400 incidents since 1990, resulting in fatalities and injuries to both children and adults.
While some initially criticized Tiger King for glorifying Joe Exotic, the show ultimately helped raise awareness and inspire change. Thanks to this new law, the exploitation of big cats for profit is set to end, marking a positive outcome from the show's cultural impact.