On The Verge Of Shutdown
The United States has plenty of accredited zoos doing some serious conservation work, and then it has the other category: animal attractions that keep winding up in lawsuits, USDA enforcement records, or long-running public criticism. If you’re planning to travel and you see one of these names pop up, it’s worth knowing why they’ve drawn heat in the first place. Below are 20 facilities that have faced notable allegations, enforcement actions, or legal trouble in specific years, often more than once.
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1. Natural Bridge Zoo
Natural Bridge Zoo in Natural Bridge, Virginia, has been in the spotlight for animal welfare concerns, including a 2023 animal cruelty conviction involving the facility’s owner. Reporting in 2024 also covered additional enforcement activity and animal transfers connected to ongoing concerns.
2. Cherokee Bear Zoo
In Cherokee, North Carolina, Cherokee Bear Zoo has faced legal scrutiny tied to how bears are kept, including a federal appellate decision in 2016 that revived an Endangered Species Act challenge. The controversy has lingered for years because the dispute centers on whether the bears’ conditions amount to “harassment” under federal law.
3. Santa’s Land
Also in Cherokee, North Carolina, Santa’s Land has been criticized by animal welfare advocates for bear housing and handling concerns, with detailed commentary dating back to expert visits in 2009 and a published report in 2010. More recently, it’s continued to appear in advocacy “do not visit” lists in 2025, keeping the criticism in circulation.
4. Zootastic Park
Zootastic Park in Troutman, North Carolina, was penalized in 2016, with reporting later detailing the USDA fine publicly in 2018. Separate coverage has also highlighted additional USDA citations in 2021, adding to a seemingly ever- growing public record.
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5. Tregembo Animal Park
Outside Wilmington, North Carolina, Tregembo Animal Park drew attention after a USDA inspection on February 2, 2021, which local reporting described as resulting in violations. Other visitors note that the animals cages are much too small and much too barren, leading to ongoing thoughts about the state of the animals mental health.
6. Pymatuning Deer Park
Pymatuning Deer Park in Jamestown, Pennsylvania, has been challenged in animal welfare advocacy and legal channels, including a detailed Animal Legal Defense Fund case update in February 2022. The criticism centers on the care and handling of captive animals and whether conditions meet basic standards.
7. Clark’s Trading Post
Clark’s Trading Post in Lincoln, New Hampshire, keeps attracting criticism over its bear program, including a high-profile advocacy push in 2024 that specifically targeted the attraction’s bear conditions. The facility itself actively markets its trained bear shows, which you can imagine play a large role in the concern around the animals' living conditions.
8. Three Bears Habitat
In Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, the Three Bears General Store and its bear habitat drew renewed attention in 2024 when advocacy groups staged public demonstrations nearby. The central complaint is that the bear setup resembles older roadside “bear pit” standards that many travelers now view as outdated. Even people who love kitschy tourist towns often draw the line at animals looking visibly stressed.
9. Hovatter’s Wildlife Zoo
Hovatter’s Wildlife Zoo in Kingwood, West Virginia, has faced scrutiny tied to USDA citations and broader public criticism, with local reporting in 2024 summarizing concerns around animal care standards.
10. Oswald’s Bear Ranch
Oswald’s Bear Ranch in Newberry, Michigan, shows up in both state-level debate and federal enforcement records, including an APHIS enforcement entry dated January 7, 2026. It also drew attention after a documented incident tied to a 2019 power outage and the death of a bear cub, which became part of later reporting and advocacy messaging.
11. Dade City’s Wild Things
Dade City’s Wild Things in Dade City, Florida, has a long paper trail, including a widely reported USDA complaint narrative in 2015 tied to public tiger encounters. In 2020, coverage described tigers being removed after a lawsuit outcome and a ban on possessing tigers.
12. Suncoast Primate Sanctuary
Suncoast Primate Sanctuary in Palm Harbor, Florida, was the subject of public scrutiny after a December 6 USDA inspection, and it also drew attention in January 2023 after a monkey escape became part of the public discussion. The concerns raised include enclosure conditions and basic safety measures, which were clearly lacking.
13. Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary
Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary in West Bend, Wisconsin, has been pulled into a high-profile local dispute, with reporting in 2025 describing legal conflict over land use and expansion plans. The controversy isn’t strictly about animal care, but the scale of operations and neighborhood fallout has kept it in the news.
14. Animal Haven Zoo
Animal Haven Zoo near Weyauwega, Wisconsin, has faced repeated criticism tied to USDA inspection concerns, including local reporting in January 2024 that referenced untreated medical conditions found during a September inspection. Advocacy coverage has also emphasized repeated claims that animals’ basic needs weren’t being met.
15. Bear Country U.S.A.
Bear Country U.S.A. in Rapid City, South Dakota, has been the focus of multiple advocacy investigations, including an undercover effort described as taking place in 2023. Separate documentation circulated in 2024 cites USDA inspection-related issues, keeping the criticism current rather than historical.
16. Hochatown Petting Zoo
Hochatown Petting Zoo in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, has been criticized in advocacy materials that reference USDA citations and alleged recurring care problems, including documents circulated in 2025. At the same time, it’s widely marketed through state and tourism listings, which keeps it visible and therefore debated.
17. Debbie Dolittle’s Indoor Petting Zoo
Debbie Dolittle’s Indoor Petting Zoo in Tacoma, Washington, has been criticized in reports and advocacy coverage, garnering federal attention after tips and alleged enclosure issues, including a piece published in 2024. The core concern is the stress and risk created by constant hands-on interactions, especially with exotic species.
18. East Texas Zoo & Gator Park
In Grand Saline, Texas, East Texas Zoo & Gator Park has been tied to a documented Animal Legal Defense Fund complaint submitted on February 27, 2024, urging USDA action related to the operator and associated entities. Separately, news coverage in 2025 described federal search warrant activity at an animal safari operation at the same address, adding another layer of scrutiny.
19. Franklin Drive Thru Safari
Franklin Drive Thru Safari in Franklin, Texas, has been a recurring subject in legal and regulatory conversations, including ALDF complaints referenced in 2022 and 2024. USDA’s APHIS enforcement listings also show an Administrative Complaint dated December 18, 2025, which is the kind of entry no attraction wants attached to its name.
20. Myrtle Beach Safari
Myrtle Beach Safari in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, has been under intense scrutiny tied to its owner, including a U.S. Department of Justice announcement in 2025 describing federal sentencing for wildlife trafficking and money laundering. Associated reporting also connects the operation to illegal animal purchasing activity tied to years including 2017, 2018, and 2019.
