USDA cites – A South Florida zoo attraction tied to Netflix’s “Tiger King” was cited by federal inspectors after an endangered clouded leopard lost a leg during a breeding attempt and a female capybara died earlier this year. The USDA cited Zoological Wildlife Foundation (
The clouded leopard injury was supposed to be a breeding attempt. Instead, federal inspectors later described a failure that led to a missing leg—and a different breeding incident that ended with a capybara’s death.
In Miami-Dade County, the U.S. Department of Agriculture cited Zoological Wildlife Foundation (ZWF) after a March 31 inspection documented 10 alleged violations of the Animal Welfare Act. The allegations include a critical finding that the facility did not ensure animals housed together—or even near each other—were compatible.
The dispute sits in a place already familiar to many viewers: ZWF’s connection to Netflix’s 2020 documentary series “Tiger King,” which drew national attention to private exotic animal ownership and big-cat breeding.
The USDA inspection report describes how the endangered clouded leopard lost a leg on Jan. 21 during a breeding attempt involving a male clouded leopard. Inspectors said the female and male were housed in adjacent enclosures separated by a shared wall and a guillotine door with a gap underneath. Facility officials told inspectors they believed the female reached her paw through the opening and was attacked by the male.
The injury ultimately resulted in the amputation of the endangered animal’s entire left front leg, according to the report. Federal inspectors added language meant to capture the stakes of the compatibility issue. writing that incompatible animals housed together or near each other can lead to “stress. injury. and/or death.”.
In the other breeding-related incident, the same critical citation references the death of a female capybara on Jan. 1. Inspectors said the capybara shared an enclosure with a male for about six weeks before she was found dead.
Mario Tabraue, ZWF’s owner and licensee, told inspectors he was “100% certain” the male killed the female while attempting to mate with her.
Following the inspection, USDA officials ordered the facility to ensure incompatible animals are not housed together or near one another.
Beyond the breeding-related incidents, the March 31 inspection documented additional violations tied to the animals’ environment and day-to-day conditions. Inspectors pointed to deteriorating enclosures and excessive rust, inadequate dig barriers, dirty food and water receptacles, and pest-control concerns.
The report also cited contaminated food storage areas covered in dead flies and gnats, algae-filled water containers, and damaged bird shelter structures.
ZWF promotes itself as an attraction offering close encounters with exotic animals, including tigers, lions, jaguars, lemurs, gibbons and flamingos. The facility also advertises private animal encounters and off-site wildlife experiences.
Tabraue, in a statement to the Miami New Times, disputed criticism surrounding the incidents. He said the clouded leopard received veterinary treatment within 30 minutes, spent more than two weeks hospitalized, and is now living off public display and “thriving very well.”
On the capybara death and the leopard injury, Tabraue said the events were “beyond our control” and characterized them as incidents that “happen in nature.” He also said, “I was never cited by USDA,” while criticizing complaints that PETA filed.
After the USDA report was released, PETA renewed calls for the facility’s closure. Klayton Rutherford. the organization’s director of captive wildlife advocacy. alleged in a statement obtained by People that animals at the facility are harmed by breeding practices and close-contact encounters designed to generate revenue.
ZWF gained national attention through its connection to Netflix’s “Tiger King.” The series explored private exotic animal ownership and big-cat breeding. centering on former Oklahoma zoo operator and now-convicted felon Joe Exotic. whose legal battles and murder-for-hire conviction drew worldwide attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. ZWF owner Mario Tabraue appeared in the documentary and was portrayed as a prominent figure in the exotic-animal industry.
The latest USDA citations bring the focus back to the facility’s housing and breeding setup—exactly where federal inspectors said incompatibility can quickly turn into injury or death.
Zoological Wildlife Foundation ZWF USDA citation Animal Welfare Act clouded leopard capybara Miami-Dade “Tiger King” PETA Mario Tabraue
Tiger King vibes… how is this still happening.
So wait the leopard lost a leg because of breeding?? That sounds like negligence on purpose. Also 10 violations sounds crazy like they just don’t care. I didn’t even know South Florida had stuff like that.
I mean the article says they put them next to each other with a wall and a door gap and “she reached through” like?? why would they even design it like that lol. But then they’re like Netflix caused this? I feel like everyone always blames Tiger King when it’s really just bad animal setup. Also capybara died too… that part is wild.
This is why I don’t trust “exotic animal attractions.” First it’s a clouded leopard losing a whole leg, then a capybara dies, and they’re all talking about compatibility like the animals were supposed to be roommates. Next thing you know it’ll be another “breeding attempt” next month. And isn’t the USDA the same people who ignore stuff half the time? idk