Several local residents sit along Wildlife In Nature’s property to support Tim Stark and his animals.
(Mitch Legan, WTIU/WFIU News)
Over 80 animals have been removed from a southern Indiana wildlife center under a court order from the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) following abuse allegations.
Wildlife In Need (WIN) is a non-profit organization run by Tim Stark just outside of Charlestown, Indiana in Clark County. Stark made headlines this spring when he made an appearance on the popular Netflix series “Tiger King.”
Director of Public Relations for the Indianapolis Zoo Judy Palermo said 40 animals were safely relocated on Sept. 11, and another 42 animals were relocated on Sept. 13.
"The Office of the Indiana Attorney General requested help from the Indianapolis Zoo to provide expert opinion on the welfare of the animals," Palermo said in an email. "The zoo conducted an inventory of the animals and provided visual checks to assess welfare."
Last week, a Marion County judge appointed the Indianapolis Zoological Society to remove animals from the WIN property.
On Monday, the OAG filed an emergency motion asking the court to issue a judgement against Stark.
"For allegedly removing animals this month and/or concealing them from authorities; and for allegedly inciting violence toward the Indianapolis Zoological Society," an OAG press release said.
OAG attorneys also cited that many of the animals documented last week at the WIN property were missing.
"These animals include six spider monkeys, two toucans, one pied crow, one African grey parrot, two macaws, one wolf, one caracal, one ocelot, three fishing cats, two cougars, two Asian small clawed otters, one prehensile porcupine and two African crested porcupines." the OAG release said. "Also cited was the concealment of several animals including one sloth, two Debrazza monkeys and three booted macaques."
OAG staff said the animals missing were worth $169,500.
"Some of the animals were later found in the back of a closed box truck located off of WIN’s premises on a neighbor’s property," the OAG said. "The animals lacked food, water, lights and ventilation."
Mack Hulsey is a longtime neighbor of Stark’s and owns the property adjacent to WIN. He said in the last three decades of knowing him, he’s never witnessed Stark abuse animals.
“Tim Stark is a good man at heart," Hulsey said. "He talks a little rough sometimes, but he has a real passion for his animals. I know that from 28 years of watching him."
The court approved the state the right remove all the animals from WIN's property except the large cat species. The OAG said those animals will also be removed in the near future as a result of a previous lawsuit brought on by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
“Our presence at WIN’s properties is to ensure that the court's orders are carried out,” Attorney General Curtis Hill said. “The order is to preserve the assets of a nonprofit that are at risk, and in this case those assets are the animals. The removal of the animals ensures their preservation and welfare. Our office is moving as quickly as we can to get this case to trial.”
The Indianapolis Zoo said it will oversee the coordination efforts of where the animals will go.
Palermo said the Indianapolis Zoo finalized new homes for the animals at accredited Zoos and sanctuaries within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums or the Zoological Association of America.
