Collins Zoo

About

The Collins Zoo was founded in 1986 by Gus and Betty White. From its inception, the zoo faced scrutiny and legal battles with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP). In September 1986, shortly after its opening, the MDWFP raided the zoo, seizing 43 alligators, eight bobcats, two skunks, four raccoons, an otter, and various snakes, citing possession of protected animals without proper permits. While criminal charges against Gus White were initially dismissed, and a judge ordered the return of the animals, their return took nearly two years, with many animals reportedly dying in the interim. Further raids and citations occurred in 2001, when 69 animals were impounded, and in March 2010, when an opossum and several turtles were seized, leading to 22 citations, many for "lack of permits for inherently violent animals." The most significant raid took place on January 25, 2012, involving the seizure of three tigers, three cougars, two leopards, two wolf hybrids, and one rhesus macaque monkey. These animals were subsequently relocated to sanctuaries in Texas and North Carolina. Over the years, the USDA cited the zoo owners for numerous violations, including failing to safely handle animals, inadequate veterinary care, and structurally unsound enclosures for dangerous animals. An administrative judge issued an order in May 2013 to revoke the zoo's USDA exhibitor license, citing conditions that put animals in jeopardy, including the deaths of a tiger, lion, leopard, cougar, wolf, and dingo between 2010 and 2012. Despite appeals, the revocation was upheld, leading to the permanent closure of Collins Zoo.