Tri-State Zoological Park

The Tri-State Zoological Park was a 16-acre (6.5 ha) zoo located in Cumberland, Maryland, United States. The nonprofit zoo opened in 2003,[1] and contains mainly exotic animals rescued or in need of homes, including lions, tigers, primates, various exotics, birds and reptiles.

Tri-State Zoological Park
39.6636247°N 78.7148692°W / 39.6636247; -78.7148692
Date opened2003
Date closedOctober 2, 2022
LocationCumberland, Maryland, United States
Land area16 acres (6.5 ha)
Websitewww.tristatezoologicalpark.com

The zoo was privately owned by Bob Candy of Cumberland and has no paid employees, run only by volunteers.[2]

In February, 2020, four years after beginning a legal battle, PETA forcibly removed three big cats from Tri-State Zoological Park to a facility in Colorado.[3]

The zoo was not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.[4]

On October 2, 2022, the zoo permanently closed its doors.[5]

March 2006 fire

On the morning of March 29, 2006, the main building was destroyed by fire, with the loss of approximately 100 animals. The only animals inside the building that survived were two alligators. All of the animals housed away from the main building were not harmed.[1] The cause of the fire was ruled accidental due to older electrical wiring beneath the building, and the zoo and animal rescue has remained open.

In December 2019, a federal judge ruled that the park must relinquish possession of its large cats (two lions and a tiger) after the court found violations of the Endangered Species Act. The judge's ruling described the deaths of two tigers in 2019, and cited "fetid and dystopic conditions" where "filth and feces dominate." The park is planning on appealing the ruling.[6]

References
  1. Hernandez, Nelson (31 March 2006). "Fire at Zoo Kills Scores of Animals". Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  2. Gilbert, Marie (21 April 2013). "Hagerstown couple plans concert to raise funds for Cumberland, Md., zoo". Herald Mail. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  3. "Big Cats From Tri-State Zoological Park Head to New Sanctuary Home". PETA. 2020-02-05. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  4. "Currently Accredited Zoos and Aquariums | AZA".
  5. Glass, Brandon (September 1, 2022). "Tri-State Zoological Park to close next month". www.times-news.com. Cumberland Times-News. Archived from the original on September 1, 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  6. Justin Wm. Moyer, "Md. zoo appeals ruling that animals suffered", Washington Post, December 31, 2019.



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