Introduction
The Netflix docuseries “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness” shed light on the bizarre and sordid world of big cat enthusiasts, including the feud between Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin. This article delves deeper into the conflict and what it reveals about the exotic animal trade industry.
Background
Joe Exotic, born Joseph Maldonado-Passage, owned the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park in Oklahoma, which housed hundreds of big cats. Carole Baskin, founder of Big Cat Rescue in Florida, was a big cat enthusiast and critic of the breeding and exploiting of big cats in the United States.
The Conflict
Baskin launched a campaign against Exotic’s exploitation of his animals, accusing him of mistreatment and profiting from them. Exotic fought back by attacking Baskin online and accusing her of exploiting her own animals. He also alleged that Baskin was responsible for her second husband’s disappearance in 1997.
Murder-for-Hire Plot
The feud reached an alarming level when Exotic was arrested in 2018 for a murder-for-hire plot against Baskin. Exotic was also charged with animal cruelty, and he was sentenced to 22 years in prison in 2019.
Unpacking the Feud
The Joe Exotic-Carole Baskin feud highlights the dangers and risks of the exotic animal trade. The conflict also revealed the lengths people will go to protect their interests. The public’s fascination with the story underscores the need for stricter laws and regulations surrounding exotic animals.
Conclusion
The conflict between Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin is a cautionary tale about the dangers of the exotic animal trade. The feud reveals the lengths people will go to protect their interests, and it underscores the need for stricter laws and regulations surrounding exotic animals.
In 2020, Netflix released a docuseries titled “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness,” which chronicled the bizarre and sordid world of a group of big cat enthusiasts in Oklahoma. One of the central figures in the series was Joseph Maldonado-Passage, better known as Joe Exotic, the flamboyant owner of the G.W. Zoo. Another key figure was Carole Baskin, the founder of Big Cat Rescue in Florida.
Their feud, which began in the early 2000s, escalated to alarming levels, culminating in a murder-for-hire plot and Exotic’s imprisonment. Here’s what you need to know about the strange rivalry between Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin.
Background
Joe Exotic, born Joseph Maldonado-Passage in 1963, was a flamboyant and eccentric big cat breeder and zookeeper. He owned the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park (G.W. Zoo), which housed hundreds of animals, including tigers, lions, and bears.
Carole Baskin, born Carole Stairs Jones in 1961, was a big cat enthusiast who established Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, Florida, in the early 1990s. The sanctuary aims to rescue and rehabilitate abandoned or abused big cats and advocate for their protection.
The Conflict
The conflict between Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin began in the early 2000s when Baskin and her husband Howard launched a campaign against the breeding and exploiting of big cats in the United States. Baskin accused Exotic of mistreating his animals and exploiting them for profit. She campaigned against his traveling show and petting zoo and regularly posted videos online decrying his actions.
Exotic fought back by consistently attacking Baskin in his online videos and on social media. He accused her of being a hypocrite, alleging that she was exploiting her own animals at Big Cat Rescue for profit. He also alleged that Baskin was responsible for the disappearance of her second husband, Don Lewis, in 1997.
The Murder-for-Hire Plot
The feud took an alarming turn when Joe Exotic was arrested and charged with concocting a murder-for-hire plot against Carole Baskin in 2018. According to court documents, Exotic had hired an undercover FBI agent to kill Baskin. Exotic was also charged with multiple counts of cruelty to animals.
In 2019, Exotic was found guilty on 19 charges and sentenced to 22 years in prison. He is currently incarcerated in a federal prison in Texas.
Carole Baskin, who had consistently denied Exotic’s allegations and accused him of libel, celebrated his conviction. However, the public attention generated by the Netflix series, which became a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been equally frustrating and empowering for her.
Unpacking the Feud
The Joe Exotic-Carole Baskin feud is a strange and bizarre story that has captured the public’s attention. Here are some FAQs about the conflict.
Q: What caused Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin’s feud?
A: The feud started in the early 2000s when Baskin began campaigning against the breeding and exploitation of big cats in the United States. She accused Exotic of mistreating his animals and exploiting them for profit. Exotic fought back by attacking Baskin in his online videos and on social media.
Q: Why did Joe Exotic hire a hitman to kill Carole Baskin?
A: According to court documents, Exotic hired a hitman to kill Baskin because he was convinced that she was trying to shut down his G.W. Zoo and take away his animals.
Q: What is Carole Baskin’s history with her late husband, Don Lewis?
A: Baskin’s second husband, Don Lewis, disappeared in 1997 and was declared dead in 2002. Baskin has consistently denied any involvement in his disappearance and has criticized those who suggest otherwise. Her missing husband was thrust back into the spotlight in Tiger King, with many people puzzled by the case.
Q: What is Joe Exotic doing now?
A: Joe Exotic is currently serving a 22-year federal prison sentence in Fort Worth, Texas. He has been trying to appeal his sentence, citing prosecutorial misconduct.
Q: What is Carole Baskin doing now?
A: Carole Baskin continues to run Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, Florida. She has been involved in several lawsuits and advocacy efforts to end the private ownership of big cats in the United States.
Conclusion
The Joe Exotic-Carole Baskin feud is a strange and sordid tale that has captured the public’s attention. The story highlights the risks and dangers of the exotic animal trade and the lengths people will go to protect their own interests. Although Exotic may be behind bars, the feud and the story surrounding it continues to fascinate and intrigue the public.
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