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The wild world of America’s private zoos

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(CNN) — Along with Italian marble and Egyptian antiquities, legendary newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst filled his San Simeon estate with hundreds of wild animals.Zebras grazed in fenced enclosures during Hearst’s star-studded, extravagant parties in 1930s California. As the Great Depression sent Americans to bread lines, the tycoon’s leopards and grizzly bears snarled from cages. “It is domination, there is absolutely no question,” says Peter Laufer, a journalism professor at the University of Oregon and author of “No Animals Were Harmed: The Controversial Line Between Entertainment and Abuse.” When figures like Hearst collect fearsome creatures, Laufer says, it sends a clear message. “This is a wild animal. It’s dangerous, it’s mine, I own it.” At the time, Hearst’s collection was the world’s largest private zoo, the animals acting as exotic décor for his sumptuous estate. Now, his former home is a tourist attraction and escaped zebras roam free on the nearby coast. The now-wild zebras of San Simeon graze along California’s Highway One. Visit San SimeonWith his outsized personality and affinity for wild animals, Hearst is a fitting precursor to the colorful zoo-keepers of the Netflix documentary series “Tiger King,” whose epic feuds and controversial practices have made it a most-watched show around the world. And more than a century after Hearst broke ground on his California mansion, unaccredited private zoos and exotic pet ownership are widespread in America. To some visitors, private zoos offer an opportunity to fulfill their lifelong dream of cuddling a tiger cub or petting a lion. But according to some activists and scientists, those interactions with exotic species are a threat to animal rights, public safety and even global health. Not all private zoos are a problemSome of America’s most reputable zoos are actually privately owned, such as the award-winning, non-profit Phoenix Zoo, which is accredited by both the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).”We have a very comprehensive set of standards,” says Dan Ashe, AZA president and the former director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. When accrediting a zoo or aquarium, the AZA assesses animal care, veterinary programs, conservation efforts, education and other metrics. “At the very core of accreditation is animal welfare,” Ashe says. “The highest priority of an AZA-accredited institution is to provide exceptional care for the animals that live there.”Phoenix Zoo is the largest private-owned zoo in the United States. Courtesy Phoenix ZooUnaccredited private zoos in the USThough the AZA is the primary accreditor in the US, Ashe says fewer than 10% of USDA-licensed animal exhibitors are accredited. Some of these are well regarded, but many private zoos don’t meet the most basic standards of accrediting organizations like the AZA. Ashe says that animal interactions, such as playing with tiger cubs or posing for photos, are a particular problem. “We don’t allow any kind of interaction with dangerous animals,” says Ashe. “It’s dangerous for the animals and dangerous for the people.” In addition to the risk of injury, Ashe says animal interactions where the animal is restrained so the public can approach are unethical. “It’s restrictive and potentially abusive to the animals,” Ashe says. “In order to be in direct contact with humans, humans have to be in control of the animal.” And at some private zoos, unusual or hybridized species are leveraged to bring in crowds, a trend that concerns Ashe and other animal welfare advocates. “What you see on a show like ‘Tiger King’ is these lion-tiger hybrids, white tigers, animals that are bred to create a carnival-like novelty,” says Ashe. “That’s not in the interest of the animals themselves,” he explains. “A lot of times those animals suffer from genetic abnormalities that require specialized care that many of these facilities are unable to provide.” Is cuddling a tiger cub animal abuse?Maria and Mario Tabraue pictured at the Zoological Wildlife Foundation in Miami, Florida, in 2016. James Lea / Barcroft USA / Barcroft Media via Getty ImagesThose questionable animal interactions and breeding practices are common at the private zoos in “Tiger King.” In Miami, convicted drug trafficker Mario Tabraue, who is featured in the documentary, keeps jaguars, Bengal tigers and cougars at his private, appointment-only Zoological Wildlife Foundation.Tabraue charges visitors hundreds of dollars for hands-on wildlife encounters. “People [say] I shouldn’t have animals because I was a convicted felon. But I did my time for what I did,” says Tabraue in “Tiger King.””Sometimes they say that I’m the prototype for [the Tony Montana character in the film] ‘Scarface.’ Back then, I sold drugs to maintain my animal habit.” Speaking of the murder of informant Larry Nash, he says, “You know, I really didn’t do most of the stuff but I carry the stigma of it […] I was still there.” And while Joseph Maldonado-Passage, or “Joe Exotic,” the bleached-blond, polyandrous star of “Tiger King,” is currently serving a 22-year federal prison sentence for several wildlife violations and his role in a murder-for-hire plot, the private zoo he founded is still open for business. At the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park, in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, guests play $80 per couple for a 12-minute Deluxe Private Playtime with animals that include ligers and ti-ligers, hybridized offspring of lions and tigers that do not exist in the wild. (The park’s new owner, Jeff Lowe, has had his own legal troubles, including pleading guilty in 2008 to mail fraud.) How America regulates private zoos and exotic petsAccording to many conservationists and animal rights activists, national laws don’t do enough to protect wild animals in captivity in the United States. The Animal Welfare Act (AWA), which was signed into law in 1966, is the most significant legislation governing the treatment of animals.”It sets minimum standards for housing, handling, food and basic living requirements for most warm-blooded animals,” says Alicia Prygoski, the legislative affairs manager of the Animal Legal Defense Fund, an animal rights organization. “It can prevent egregious acts of animal abuse at neglected roadside zoos and cub petting facilities,” she explains, but notes that the ALDF believes enforcement of the AWA is lax, and advocates for stricter rules. “With the Animal Welfare Act you sometimes see roadside zoos and cub petting facilities racking up hundreds of violations before they’re finally shut down.” And in some places in the United States, owning an exotic pet such as a tiger isn’t regulated at all.”Depending on whether a state or municipality has a ban on private possession in place, it could be illegal to own a big cat as a pet in a private home,” says Prygoski. “That lack of uniform federal law has really resulted in a patchwork of inconsistent laws and regulations across states.” According to the wildlife charity Born Free USA, which tracks the diverse state laws regulating possession of wild animals, as of May 2016, five states do not require any license for the possession of many exotic animals. (These include Alabama, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina and Wisconsin.)A cheetah at Phoenix Zoo. Courtesy Phoenix ZooExotic animal regulations around the worldInternational laws on exotic pet ownership and private zoos vary widely, as well. Drafted to protect both wild animals and plants, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is a voluntary agreement with contracting parties from 183 countries and the European Union . But while that agreement aims to limit exotic animal trade, possession is another story. In a 2013 report for the Law Library of Congress, foreign law specialist Laney Zhang surveyed the laws regulating private possession of big cats in 21 countries, each a member of CITES. Of these, only 12 had national legislation prohibiting or restricting private big cat possession.In the United Kingdom, for example, the Dangerous Wild Animals Act of 1976 allows, under license, the private possession of animals including venomous snakes, pumas and wolf hybrids. And in China, the survey found that private individuals can also get a license to breed state-protected tigers, lions, clouded leopards and snow leopards in captivity. The threat of pandemicIt’s an issue that has new resonance as the novel coronavirus known as Covid-19 spreads around the globe.This week, a tiger at New York’s Bronx Zoo was the first of its kind to test positive for novel coronavirus, having been infected by an asymptomatic zoo keeper, according to the zoo. Some scientists believe that pangolins, an animal that looks a bit like an armadillo, may be the intermediate host that introduced Covid-19 to humans. The world’s only mammal with scales, pangolins are sought after in some parts of Asia as both a food and a medicine; several pangolin species are listed as critically endangered or vulnerable. Pangolins are also part of several zoo collections in the United States, including that of the Chicago Zoological Society’s Brookfield Zoo. Another exotic animal, the civet, has been linked to the SARS outbreak in 2003. In a 2007 article for the Emerging Infectious Diseases journal, researchers estimated that 75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, a term referring to illnesses that can spread between animals and people. (Like Covid-19, these are mostly viral.)While civets and pangolins are not primarily trafficked for zoo- and pet-ownership, human contact with exotic animals does carry the risk of disease. As an example, the researchers referred to a 2003 monkeypox outbreak in the United States, which was traced to pet prairie dogs infected by imported African rodents. To combat diseases spread by animals, the researchers said more education was needed. “Our quest for close contact with wild animals and for exotic pets puts us at risk for exposure,” they wrote. Carole Baskin, of Florida’s Big Cat Rescue, is one of the big cat enthusiasts made famous by “Tiger King.” NetflixWill America’s exotic animal zoos survive changing attitudes?If legislation in the US House of Representatives passes, scenes of tiger petting and animal selfies from the documentary “Tiger King” may come to an end.With 227 co-sponsors in the US House of Representatives, the Big Cat Public Safety Act would ban the private possession of big cats, with some exceptions, as well as the up-close interactions visitors have with big cats at places like the Zoological Wildlife Foundation and the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park. Also in the House of Representatives is the Captive Primate Safety Act, which would add non-human primates to the list of prohibited wildlife species under the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981, offering a significant barrier to buying and selling animals as pets across state lines. Those laws, which are still pending, reflect Americans’ shifting attitudes towards animals, says the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Alicia Prygoski. “The public has an increasing interest in animal protection and animal welfare,” says Prygoski. “People want to see these animals protected.”

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If you have to fly, here are the ways airlines are trying to keep you safe

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(CNN) — Most of the country is sheltering in place and air traffic has slowed dramatically but there are still people who must fly.With most rest stops, fast-food dining rooms, and other normal travel accommodations closed or limited, flying may seem like a better option for those trying to get home or traveling due to an emergency.The number of people traveling by plane has hit a 10-year low as the aviation industry reels from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Transportation Security Administration. But the main question on everyone’s mind: Is it safe to take to the skies?Changes that have been made on board Many airlines have been taking precautions to keep passengers safe since social distancing started. Almost all major airlines are holding or limiting their in-flight refreshments to cut down on contact. Customers are encouraged to bring their own food and beverages on board. Delta Air Lines is serving refreshments depending on the length of the flight and beverages on all flights are limited to bottled water. Other major airlines are also limiting what refreshments are served.Some airlines take in-flight social distancing to a new level by limiting where you can sit on the airplane. American Airlines and United Airlines are creating distance where available by not seating customers in middle seats and allowing seat changes once everyone is on the plane if someone feels like they are uncomfortable. Alaska Airlines takes it one step further by offering the chance to cancel or reschedule a flight if they cannot put you in a seat within a proper social distance from other customers.All airlines have been practicing increased sanitation and onboard cleaning. Many encourage customers to bring their own cleaning products as well to make them feel more comfortable and at ease. So if this calms your fears if you must fly, what about before you even step on the plane? Changes made in the airportsUS airports are encouraging travelers to follow the safety guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including practicing social distancing when it comes to security and other lines. Official travel tips include wearing a face mask, washing your hands for at least 20 seconds frequently, and staying home if you are feeling ill. Many airports have shut down most of their security checkpoints, so make sure you check to see which ones are available. Both Delta and American have closed their sky lounges, so if you were planning to social distance there before a flight, you will need to sit in the main terminal area. Most airport restaurants are closed or running on a limited schedule. Many major airports like Dallas-Fort Worth Airport have provided a list of the open establishments and at what times they are available to customers on their websites. The CDC cautions against traveling at all during this time, but if it’s needed, be safe by following guidelines and looking up all needed information before you go.

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The Hong Kong hotel weathering the coronavirus storm

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Tai O, Hong Kong (CNN) — Lantau is Hong Kong’s largest island, home to three of its busiest spots — Hong Kong Disneyland, the Tian Tan Buddha and Chep Lak Kok Airport. But on the island’s western tip, on a spit of land that curls into the South China Sea, is a fishing village called Tai O that feels like it has been frozen in time. There are still old-fashioned wooden houses built on stilts, narrow shops selling handwoven baskets and strips of dried seafood, and a complete lack of car traffic. The famous stilt houses of Tai O, on Lantau Island.Lilit Marcus/CNNDespite the faraway feeling, Tai O still isn’t immune from the coronavirus concerns plaguing the world. But the village — which so far has not had a single diagnosed case of the virus — has found a way to stay safe while also giving their fellow Hongkongers a respite from the world. On the northern tip of Tai O is a former police station that was converted into the upscale nine-room Tai O Heritage Hotel. Though it could have closed down amid the downturn in tourism, the hotel opted to stay open — and became a haven not for tourists, but instead for locals seeking an escape from their claustrophobic city apartments. Part of the decision to stay open wasn’t a decision at all. The hotel is a city landmark with protection under Hong Kong’s development bureau, which requires that the hotel be open to the public year-round for people to appreciate the conservation work up-close. While hotel management did opt to cancel the three daily property tours that are usually available for visitors, the hotel and its glassed-in rooftop restaurant, The Tai O Lookout, remain open for bookings.What’s changed, though, are the demographics of the people making the bookings. In a typical year, about 75% of the hotel’s guests are local. Since February 2020, that number has hovered between 92 and 99%.Since Hong Kong’s “second wave” of coronavirus cases began, the city has restricted movement even further, with businesses like karaoke bars, restaurants and hair salons feeling the crunch. The Tai O Lookout’s menu features dishes with local ingredients like shrimp paste and preserved eggs.Courtesy Tai O Heritage Hotel”The hotel has fortunately been running close to full or full during weekends in recent two months, and higher than expected occupancy during weekdays at an average over 70 – 80%,” a representative for the Tai O Heritage Hotel, tells CNN Travel. Some weekends have even been so popular that the hotel has had to place would-be guests on a wait list.And the booming business isn’t just good for the economy — it’s good for the community.”Tai O Heritage Hotel is operated as a non-profit social enterprise,” the representative explains. “All proceeds and revenue will be fully contributed to hotel maintenance, community engagement and commitment to Tai O village, to promote heritage conservation, tourism and green living.”That includes paying to repair the historic stilt houses and sponsoring art projects like a 3-D mural about local history and landmarks.The same hygiene regulations that are in effect throughout Hong Kong are in place in Tai O as well: everyone wears masks, guests must fill out health declaration forms before being allowed to check into their rooms and bottles of hand sanitizer are placed on nearly every available surface.Guests who arrive for meals at the Tai O Lookout — breakfast is for hotel guests only, while dinner is open to the public — must have their temperatures taken, use hand sanitizer upon arrival, sit no more than four to a table and have their tables placed at least one and a half meters apart.Still, though, Tai O manages to retain its feeling of peacefulness. Guests can watch the sunset from the restaurant, and on clear days the Hong Kong – Macao – Zhuhai Bridge is visible in the distance. There’s no TV blaring the news, just soft, tinkling music playing overhead.Even with masks on, it’s a rare place where stressed Hongkongers — many of whom have been cooped up in their apartments for nearly three months — can breathe freely.

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