Joe Exotic Files ESA Lawsuit and Protection Order

May 14, 2025

Joe Exotic Files ESA Lawsuit and Protection Order

Joe Exotic aka Joseph Maldonado has filed a Notice of Intent to Sue under the Federal Endangered Species Act in the United States Northern District of Indiana, against the Black Pines Sanctuary in Albion Indiana.

https://www.scribd.com/document/861400353/Notice-of-Intent-to-File-Citizen-Suit-Pursuant-to-the-Endangered-Species-Act-Against-Professional-Animal-Retirement-Center-Inc-Black-Pine-Animal-Sanc

Black Pine Sanctuary has advertised that they will be neutering "ELVIS" a Rare White Bengal Tiger this weekend. Not only is Joe Exotic trying to stop this barbaric practice against Tigers under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 but his intent is to stop practices of this kind permanently.

Under the ESA the word "Take" written by Congress means to Hunt, Harm, Shoot, Kills, Harass, Collect or participate in any behavior to an animal under this Act. Carole Baskin and Association of Zoo's and Aquariums had Generic Tigers placed on the ESA list in 2016 which means they are Federally Protected under the Act.

During Exotic's Trial PETA (The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and Carole Baskin testified that taking cubs away from their mothers and hand raising them, allowing the public to touch a cub or big cat, using them in magic shows, circuses or keeping them as pets falls under the definition "Harm or Harass" according to the way they interpret the section of the ESA "Take".

5 of Exotic's convictions were for euthanizing 5 tigers that were 23 years of age and had extensive health issues, including crippling injuries, without first filing for a permit to put them to sleep. The Government charged Exotic with "Taking 5 endangered species without a permit". Exotic believes this facility lacks the permit Mr. Exotic was charged for not possessing. The Federal Government’s position was that Exotic should have let the 5 cats continue to suffer for months while applying for a permit from the Federal Wildlife Service.

According to testimony at Exotic's trial, not even a veterinarian can put down an Endangered Species without first filing for a permit.

Exotic and his legal team believe that neutering or spaying a Tiger or any other endangered animal falls under the word "Take" "to harm or harass or kill" as neutering will in fact harm the species and harm and harass them by not allowing them to take part in natural behavior of breeding, and species specific behaviors, depriving them of needed hormones and the ability to maintain a healthy body weight.

Exotic will be demanding that they all be returned to their country of Origin to live in sanctuaries of their climates and proper habitats, as the stated purpose of the Endangered Species Act as written is "To protect the Native Species and their Habitats of our Lands" The Endangered Species Act does not exempt anyone from the law.

Please contact by email Roger Roots attorney for Joe Exotic at roger@rootsjustice.com

You can contribute to this fight here: https://www.givesendgo.com/EndangeredSpecies

Respectfully,
Joseph Maldonado
aka Joe Exotic
#26154017
FMC Fort Worth
PO Box 15530
Fort Worth TX 76119

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