Collins Zoo

{{Infobox zoo

|zoo_name=Collins Zoo

|logo=

|logo_width=

|location=Collins, Mississippi, USA

|coordinates={{Coord|31.6159659|-89.5379305|type:landmark_scale:2500|display=it}}

|date_opened=1988

|num_animals=300

|num_species=100

|website={{URL|http://www.collinsmszoo.com}}

}}

The Collins Zoo, formerly the Collins Exotic Animal Orphanage, is a zoo located in Collins, Mississippi. The zoo has been closed since May 2013.{{Cite web |date=2013-05-15 |title=Collins Zoo loses license |url=https://www.wapt.com/article/collins-zoo-loses-license/2083867 |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=WAPT |language=en}}

History

The Collins Zoo was founded in 1986 by Gus and Betty White. The zoo had been raided several times by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.{{Cite web |last=Wheeler |first=Kevin |date=2010-03-24 |title=Collins zoo raided by Department of Wildlife |url=https://www.wdam.com/story/12196010/collins-zoo-raided-by-department-of-wildlife/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=wdam.com |language=en}} The last raid in 2012 was ruled to have violated the Whites' due process rights.{{Cite web |date=2012-04-09 |title=Judge rules raid on Collins zoo was unconstitutional |url=https://www.djournal.com/judge-rules-raid-on-collins-zoo-was-unconstitutional/article_711df13d-c1d1-58af-8c56-3d916ea2163c.html |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal |language=en}}

The zoo's USDA license was revoked in May 2013. The zoo has been closed since that time.{{cite web|url=http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2013/05/usda-revokes-collins-zoo-license051413.html|title=USDA Revokes License of Mississippi Roadside Zoo : The Humane Society of the United States|website=The Humane Society of the United States |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026222726/http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2013/05/usda-revokes-collins-zoo-license051413.html |archive-date=26 October 2018 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/2014/05/30/collins-zoo-license-revoked/9793287/ |title=Collins Zoo loses appeal for license reinstatement |website=www.hattiesburgamerican.com}}

Legal issues with the State of Mississippi

In 2001, state wildlife officials raided the zoo and seized several skunks, alligators, alligator snapping turtles, bobcats, and several other species of animals indigenous to Mississippi.

In March 2010, the zoo was again raided by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife and an opossum, red-eared slider turtles, and some box turtles were taken. The zoo was issued 22 citations, many for "lack of permits for inherently violent animals."

The final raid on January 25, 2012, included three tigers, three cougars, two leopards, two wolf hybrids, and one rhesus macaque monkey. The animals were relocated to sanctuaries in Texas and North Carolina.[http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012201260347 Clarion ledger]{{dead link|date=August 2012}}

Notes

{{Reflist |refs=

{{Cite web|url=http://www.wapt.com/r/22937124/detail.html |title=Mississippi Wildlife Agents Issue Citations To Collins Zoo |work=wapt.com |publisher=Jackson Hearst Television Inc. |date=24 March 2010 |accessdate=3 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723115151/http://www.wapt.com/r/22937124/detail.html |archivedate=July 23, 2011 }}

{{Cite web

|url=http://www.wlox.com/global/story.asp?s=12196010

|title=Collins zoo raided by Department of Wildlife

|last=Wheeler

|first=Kevin

|work=lox.com

|publisher=WLOX TV

|date=24 March 2010

|accessdate=3 May 2011

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313031533/http://www.wlox.com/global/story.asp?s=12196010

|archive-date=13 March 2012

|url-status=dead