Myrtle Beach Safari owner, Tiger King star charged with However, Antle had only nice things to say about his friend. Attorneys Derek A. Shoemake and Amy Bower for the District of South Carolina and Senior Trial Attorney Patrick M. Duggan of the Justice Departments Environment and Natural Resources Division, Environmental Crimes Section. Tigers and elephants used for photo ops are caged, chained, and beaten into submission.. This hidden gem will make your MB stay off the charts! He pioneered the use of animal ambassador programs to help visitors reconnect with the natural world and to promote special connections with wildlife that could drive a global conservation message and agenda. The Socastee resident expects to be included in the show. From a very young age, Doc began raising and caring for every animal that he could get his hands on. Wilson received animals from Antle and was charged with wildlife trafficking and animal cruelty. The filings allege that Antle had used bulk cash receipts to purchase animals for which he could not use checks, and that Antle planned to conceal the cash he received by inflating tourist numbers at the Myrtle Beach Safari. The Myrtle Beach Safari is a 50-acre wildlife tropical preserve in Myrtle Beach. Myrtle Beach Safari owner Mahamayavi Bhagavan Doc Antle. File/Provided Subscribe today! He also rejected the idea that he had created a personal harem for himself with the young female interns at the Safari. Winds light and variable. Antle, however, said many of the people interviewed for the show, such as magician Steven Diamond, barely knew him despite being portrayed as experts on his life. The episode focuses on staffing at big cat businesses and how long hours can lead some to become intimately involved with the owners. It was to tell a tale and almost everybody in there, pretty much every single person in there, except for, of course my first, second and third wives, every person in there hasnt spent a dozen hours with me, said Antle, who says hes suing Netflix over the original Tiger King series he was featured on. Official websites use .gov Earlier this month, Antles wife China York registered two businesses both with addresses listed as Myrtle Beach Safari. They run that story pretty good. A safari can run $339 per person for a three-hour tour of Antles collection of big cats and other animals, while also giving patrons a chance to pet tiger cubs for an additional $100. There are plenty of immoral allegations against Bhagavan Doc Antle in Tiger King: The Doc Antle Story.. (Bustle reached out to Antle for comment on the series, but has not received a response). "Are You the One?" I certainly dont have three wives," Antle said in March. Ligers used to be a myth, but a tiger mama and a lion father unintentionally mated here. I have spent my entire professional life promoting the welfare and conservation of big cats and other species.. The owner of a Northern Virginia zoo has also been indicted. You have permission to edit this article. It is the hope of Myrtle Beach Safari to continue to conserve tigers, lions, elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees and many more species in their natural habitats. This little guy liked to walk around with his high heels on (hes got some hard feet), but he was pretty darn cute. , Post and Courier, an Evening Post Publishing Newspaper Group. Everyone who told the truth was kicked to the wayside, Antle, owner of Myrtle Beach Safari in Socastee, said of the Netflix docu-series casting. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. All Rights Reserved. Next on the agenda was to gather the group around a small pen where we played with tiger cubs, lion cubs and lynx cubs. The animals involved included lemurs, cheetahs, and a chimpanzee. Its not my M.O., The series also tells tales of Antles hypnotizing ways, drug smuggling and dealing, improper interactions with teenage girls, animal cruelty, running from the police and being a fake doctor in the 1980s, when he was part of what they describe as a cult called Yogaville.. Myrtle Beach Safari offers the chance to meet and greet about eleven different animals in an exciting way. These guys look a lot like dogs, but bigger and more fierce. People often pretend that these images of them make it as though they worked there. I kind of wish I could take one home. He was indicted in October 2020 following a months-long investigation by the Virginia Attorney Generals animal law unit, according to a news release from the office. Antles charges include felony counts of wildlife trafficking and conspiracy to commit wildlife trafficking, along with misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and conspiracy to violate the Endangered Species Act. A locked padlock Wildlife biologist Stephanie Schuttler claimed that Antles business is not a wildlife preserve but a zoo, as the term wildlife preserve can only refer to a national or state park, or an area that protects native flora and fauna of which tigers are obviously not in South Carolina. One of Antles ex-wives, Sumati Steinberg, says in the show that she was supposed to go on a date with Topping the day he died, May 28, 1989. MYRTLE BEACH Bhagavan Doc Antle, owner of Myrtle Beach Safari and founder of The Institute for Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (T.I.G.E.R.S. They now have Hercules, the 900 pound liger! ), To this day, Antle has maintained his innocence as well as the innocence of all of his family members in relation to the case. The indictment alleges that Antle, at various times along with Bybee, Sammut, and Clay, illegally trafficked wildlife in violation of federal law, including the Lacey Act and the Endangered Species Act, and made false records regarding that wildlife. In April 2021, Myrtle Beach resident Shirley Ann Smothers was bitten by a primate that is believed to have escaped from Myrtle Beach Safari. Two of Antles daughters, Tawny Antle and Tilakam Watterson, were also indicted on misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals. "That's not a documentary,"Antle told The Post and Courier in March, describing the series as "quasi-fictional drama, more focused on shock value and titillation than fact.". Sawyer and Bybee are Antles employees and business associates. Charleston:(843) 727-4381 While the Fund does not limit its geographic footprint, its support has primarily focused on projects in South America, Africa, and Thailand. I visited this location years ago (not a recent trip) and Im guessing you just got your information from the new Netflix series. Being a fake doctor. In 2015, Antle told Rolling Stone that he breeds 10 to 15 new cubs every season to sustain operations, and that there are about 70 tigers on site that each eat $5,000 to $10,000 worth of food a year. This story was originally published December 26, 2021 6:58 AM. Attorneys Derek A. Shoemake and Amy Bower, with the District of South Carolina, and DOJ Senior Trial Attorney Patrick M. Duggan with DOJs Environment and Natural Resources Divisions Environmental Crimes Section. Myrtle Beach Safari owner Doc Antle charged with money laundering related to human smuggling Roadside Zoo News Home About News Donate Contact Something Isnt Working Refresh the page to try again. Bhagavan Doc Antle, the owner of Myrtle Beach Safari, appeared in federal court Wednesday in Florence. Antle and Sawyer were previously granted a bond by a federal magistrate judge as a result of the charges in the federal complaint, and Bybee, Sammut, and Clay are pending arraignment. Everyone who told the truth was kicked to the wayside, Antle, owner of Myrtle Beach Safari in Socastee, said of the Netflix docu-series casting. Only those who would take payment for their life stories got to be in the show. RSF also works closely with state, federal, and international bodies to develop and support sound wildlife policies and to secure sustained funding for long-term research, education, and conservation initiatives. The Myrtle Beach Safari is a 50-acre wildlife tropical preserve in Myrtle Beach. Wetzel has won awards for sports column, feature and headline writing. "prerollTemplate":"https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x480&iu=/132916964,50847294/wfxb.com/uncategorized&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&vpos=preroll&unviewed_position_start=1&correlator=1674054655&cust_params=category=Uncategorized&video_position=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wfxb.com%2F2022%2F06%2F22%2Ftwo-new-businesses-registered-at-myrtle-beach-safari-address%2F&post=1182829" The prosecutors on the case are Assistant U.S. Thank you very much for your attention to this message. Doc Antle, owner of Myrtle Beach Safari and The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (T.I.G.E.R.S. Specifically, according to the complaint, Antle and Sawyer would launder the cash by providing checks from a business controlled by Antle and a business controlled by Sawyer. nmasuda@postandcourier.com, Myrtle Beach Safari owner claims Netflix's 'Tiger King' exaggerated, denies having a harem, New South Carolina law will make private ownership of wild animals illegal, Facing animal cruelty charges, 'Doc' Antle takes aim at animal extremists' and Tiger King, Oklahoma judge orders 'Tiger King' zoo to turn over big cats, Daughter of 'Tiger King' star Doc Antle arrested after Myrtle Beach traffic stop, 'Tiger King' Joe Exotic resentenced to 21 years in prison, 'Tiger King' star Doc Antle facing up to 20 years in prison on money laundering charges, FBI investigation details 'Tiger King' star Doc Antles alleged money laundering, 'Tiger King' star Doc Antle should be freed over health issues his lawyers plan to argue, Richland Two superintendent resigns after 6-hour closed-door board meeting, Charleston's Carnival ship set sail on a cruise to nowhere, Large town center-type project planned for North Charleston near new I-26 interchange. Before lunch and getting our photos to take home, we played with some beach balls with a few chimpanzees! As a young man he also had the opportunity to travel and explore the world and spent a significant amount of time in Asia where he received a doctorate degree in medicine. It is the greatest story ever told that didnt happen. I have no relationship with them. Doc is very happy to be back at home and care for his animals, thats what its all about.. FLORENCE, S.C. (WMBF) One of the stars of Netflixs Tiger King pleaded not guilty to several federal charges. Ive always dreamt of going on an African Safari, and someday I hope to make that dream come true. Please do not promote Myrtle Beach Safari, an abusive petting zoo and constant violator of animal welfare regulations whose owner has just been indicted on 15 charges including cruelty to animals and wildlife trafficking. An award-winning journalist, he has reported on all types of news, sports and features stories in over a decade as a member of the staff. Official websites use .gov Hubert Clodfelter's remains were found by his daughters in June 2019 in a garbage bag at the Myrtle Beach Travel Park where he and his wife had a beach house. [Kody] was raised here on the preserve, with tiger cubs and monkey cubs in his crib. Sawyer and Bybee are Antles employees and business associates. The safari works in tandem with Antles Rare Species Fund (RSF), a grassroots organization that claims to work with state and federal authorities to develop conservation initiatives. The indictment and a previously-filed federal complaint in the case also allege that over the last several months, Antle and Sawyer laundered more than $500,000 in cash they believed to be the proceeds of an operation to smuggle illegal immigrants across the Mexican border into the United States. Doc Antle (left) and Omar Sawyer were arrested for money laundering. The saga of Tiger King continues, but this time the spotlight is on Bhagavan Doc Antle. High 64F. If you do the math, you will see its is impossible to find enough AZA-accredited zoos and sanctuaries to house these animals. Sawyer and Bybee are Antles employees and business associates. I was not at his side. Who Is the YouTuber That Pranked Major News Channel With Moaning Noises. Another captive tiger just tested positive for the novel coronavirus, but the recently indicted Doc Antle hasnt let federal recommendations against cub-petting stop his search for a little limelight, PETA said in a statement, per WBTW News 13. The animals are taken from their moms when they are minutes old and once they get older they are put down, sold to other roadside zoos, or canned hunts. Eddie Murphy didnt work for me, but I sure made him look like Dr. Doolittle.. The prosecutors on the case are Assistant U.S. Im so glad I heard about Myrtle Beach Safari and the TIGERS experience. Greenville:(864) 282-2100 U.S. Attorney Corey F. Ellis stated that all charges in the indictment are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Today, Doc Antle continues to run his zoo. "When I met (Antle) I had two husbands, and he had three girlfriends or wives," said Joe Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage. We did get to play with the cubs, but the daddies just walked around above our heads, for us to awe over. In Tiger King, Maria Tabraue suggested that Doc Antle has three wives: Rajnee, Moksha, and China, who Antle described as his girls on the show. Please do your research on this place. Two of Antles daughters have also been charged in Virginia, with Tawny Antle and Tilakum Watterson both facing two misdemeanor counts cruelty to animals and violating the Endangered Species Act. Hes halfway down a mountain when he slips. A visit to this safari is not something I would be advertising on the internet. Earlier this month, Antles wife China York registered two businesses both with A federal grand jury in Florence, South Carolina returned a 10-count indictment alleging charges related to wildlife trafficking and money laundering against five individuals: According to the indictment and other court records, Antle is the owner and operator of The Institute for Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (T.I.G.E.R.S. Running from the police. Antle also claims that the RSF has contributed more than $1 million to wildlife initiatives. Sammut is the owner The small city hosting Alex Murdaugh's trial is about to become a media circus. Have a question about Government Services? In 2020, Antle was charged with nine counts of cruelty to animals, six counts of selling endangered species and two wildlife trafficking charges. FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) Myrtle Beach Safari owner Bhagavan Doc Antle, facing federal money-laundering and wildlife trafficking charges, was back in court Wednesday Antle called The Doc Antle Story poorly done, though he thought the original Tiger King was well-done despite being what hes called entertainment and not a true documentary. I so would have loved to ride her too, but I imagine there just isnt time for that. Over the years, he has more than 35 USDA violations for mistreating animals. Wells Fargo Building Ive always dreamt of going on an African Safari, and someday I hope to make that dream come true. In a 2020 interview with People, he described the 50-acre property as the Ritz-Carlton of wildlife facilities.". When I say 'my girl,' its a cowboy saying, its not that these are my wives," he told Oxygen.com. Im a wildlife biologist with nearly 20 years of experience there is absolutely no way you can have the constant presence of cubs without abuse taking place. Although Antle has claimed to have a PhD in zoology, two of his former wives and other former staff members stated that he never attained a PhD, they also stated that he never went to a We also had the opportunity to hold and feed a couple of the tiger cubs and can I just say ADORABLE!! Secure .gov websites use HTTPS The Myrtle Beach Safari is a 50-acre wildlife tropical preserve in Myrtle Beach. Antle is currently out of jail on a $250,000 bond. 1441 Main Street Suite 500 Yeah, he was a background guy on a couple of jobs that had 30 or 40 full-time staff. 25 results for "owner of myrtle beach safari and cult bigamist" hide this ad. In addition to founding T.I.G.E.R.S., a 50-acre wildlife preserve in Myrtle Beach, the Myrtle Beach Safari has been in business for nearly 30 years. Antles Myrtle Beach Safari was searched by the State Law Enforcement Division in December 2019. 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