Browns’ Odell Beckham caught in ‘Tiger King’ controversy?
Among the more popular shows to binge-watch during the coronavirus pandemic is Netflix’s seven-part documentary series “Tiger King.”
For those who haven’t seen it, the series focuses on big-cat collector Joe Schreibvogel, who now goes by the name of Joe Exotic. Eccentric doesn’t begin to describe the gun-toting, mullet-wearing former country music singer, or the life he leads as a big cat collector, breeder and zoo keeper.
Among the people to visit his zoo in Oklahoma was N.J. native Shaquille O’Neal, an admitted big-cat enthusiast, who made the trek in 2014 and used a recent podcast to distance himself from Joe Exotic.
Sounds like Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham could be in a similar situation, according to cleveland.com:
One of the people prominently featured (in the series) is Doc Antle, the owner of Myrtle Beach Safari, who has a long list of celebrities who have visited his business. According to Antle’s Instagram page, among the famous visitors are Floyd Mayweather, Beyoncé and OBJ.
You may remember Beckham posted a video of himself petting a tiger and playing catch with a chimpanzee at Myrtle Beach Safari in January of 2019, when he still played for the New York Giants. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals used Beckham’s video as a chance to further its cause:
“These sensitive and much-abused animals belong with their families in nature, not pimped out as props by shameless roadside zoos. We’re sure that Odell Beckham Jr. had no idea that the sleazy safari park where this young chimpanzee is kept has a lengthy record of violating federal law and uses great apes and big-cat cubs in cheap publicity stunts like this. These encounters are incredibly dangerous, and PETA urges everyone — including Beckham, who certainly doesn’t want another injury — to steer clear of cruel facilities that exploit animals.”
WFAN reached out to Antle after Beckham posted his video:
Doc Antle, director of Myrtle Beach Safari, which provided the animals in the video, told WFAN.com that while the facility has been investigated for federal violations, it has never been cited for any violations. He added that the animals are well cared for and live in groups with other animals of the same species. “This is not a backyard zoo,” Antle said. “This is a really magnificent wonderful place.”
Article via NJ.com