US seizes 68 big cats from exotic animal park owner Jeffrey Lowe of 'Tiger King' fame

The Justice Department has announced the seizure of 68 protected big cats and a jaguar from Jeffrey and Lauren Lowe's 'Tiger King' park in Oklahoma.

The Justice Department on Thursday announced the seizure of 68 protected big cats rom Jeffrey and Lauren Lowe's Tiger King Park in Oklahoma, related to what the government described as their ongoing violations of the Endangered Species Act. In a statement, the department said it is seeking civil forfeiture of the animals after several inspections of the park found the Lowes allegedly failed to provide animals with proper veterinary care, nutrition and shelter to protect them from bad weather. The animals included lions, tigers, lion-tiger hybrids and a jaguar, according to authorities. In an affidavit, investigators detail allegations of disturbing conditions they documented for some of the big cats -- observing some who showed signs of high anxiety and stress, with several losing their hair and showing signs of weight loss, while others had signs of untreated wounds.