PETA’s Legal Action
The animal rights organization served the facility with a Notice of Intent to file a citizen lawsuit under the Endangered Species Act.
PETA alleges the foundation has committed multiple violations, including failing to provide adequate veterinary care to sick and injured animals over a span of more than ten years.
Allegations Against Kirshner Wildlife Foundation
PETA’s 49-page legal notice outlines several claims of mistreatment and neglect.
Among them are allegations that the facility denied veterinary care to lemurs, tigers, lions, and snow leopards, contributing to their deaths.
The document also claims that improper nutrition led to metabolic bone disease in tigers and lions, causing muscle loss, pain, and fractures.
Additionally, PETA accuses the foundation of keeping ring-tailed lemurs in inadequate enclosures, isolating them from the social groups they need for their well-being.
The group highlighted the case of a tiger cub named Shyra, who was removed from the facility by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife last year due to severe health issues.
Ongoing Investigations and Facility Closure
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has launched a criminal investigation into the Kirshner Wildlife Foundation.
Last month, CDFW removed the last six remaining native animals from the sanctuary, including three black bears, one mountain lion, and two mule deer.
Exotic animals had already been relocated with CDFW’s permission, and the facility has since lost its license due to animal welfare violations, resulting in its closure.
Peter Tira, a public information officer for CDFW, confirmed that the animals were removed because the sanctuary could no longer legally house them.
PETA has raised concerns about the fate of the exotic animals that were relocated before the closure, suggesting that they may have been transferred to other questionable roadside zoos.
Brittany Peet, General Counsel for PETA Foundation, stated, “We are serving this notice of intent to sue under the Endangered Species Act so every tiger, lion, cheetah, and other ESA-protected animal at Kirshner has the opportunity to be moved to a safe, reputable sanctuary.”
While CDFW has not disclosed full details of the violations under investigation, PETA claims they include inadequate housing, failure to provide proper veterinary care, malnutrition, and diet-related injuries and deaths, particularly among tigers.
Kirshner Wildlife Foundation’s Mission
The Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation describes itself as a non-profit organization focused on wildlife rehabilitation, conservation, and education.
According to its website, the facility housed a variety of non-releasable exotic and native species, including tigers, lions, bobcats, foxes, and birds of prey.
The foundation stated that its enclosures exceeded state and federal regulations and that it provided high-quality care, exercise, and nutrition to its animals.
It also offered educational programs, including outreach to schools, community groups, and at-risk youth.
The foundation operated a Native Wildlife Rehabilitation Program, which provided medical care, nutrition, and temporary housing for injured or orphaned native species.
The program aimed to rehabilitate animals and release them back into the wild whenever possible.
Wildlife that could not be released due to illness or injury were given lifelong care at the sanctuary.
The facility provided care for a range of native species, including deer, foxes, owls, hawks, raccoons, and skunks.
California state law prohibits individuals from removing wildlife from the wild and attempting to care for them at home.
The Kirshner Wildlife Sanctuary stated that it followed strict protocols to prevent wildlife from becoming imprinted on humans and ensured minimal contact during the rehabilitation process.
Differing Views on Animal Care
PETA maintains that the foundation failed to meet adequate animal care standards and that its closure is necessary to protect endangered species.
However, Woody Nelson, a friend of the sanctuary, has defended the facility, stating that the animals received proper medication, supplements, and veterinary attention.
The Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation has not issued a formal response to PETA’s allegations.
Next Steps
PETA is calling for all surviving animals to be relocated to accredited sanctuaries.
The organization continues to push for transparency regarding the locations where the exotic animals were sent.
Meanwhile, the criminal investigation by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife remains ongoing.
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