Lang
3/28/20
The subject of the new Netflix documentary series “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness” is now internationally known, but over a decade ago he made a controversial name for himself in Iowa City.
Joseph Maldonado-Passage, who goes by the pseudonym “Joe Exotic”, brought his animal show featuring live tigers and lions to the then-Sycamore Mall in 2007. “Mystical Magic of the Endangered” featured Exotic performing magic tricks for school-age children while spreading messages about saving the environment, as well as the dangers of drugs and drunk driving. After the show, those in attendance were allowed to pose for photos with the animals in exchange for donations to benefit endangered species.
The event caused controversy when the group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals asked the Iowa City City Council to shut the show down. PETA officials said the show included crowded conditions and lacked adequate necessities for the animals such as food, water and veterinary care. They also alleged that the staff was poorly trained, and that staffers had been intentionally cruel, leading to injured and dead animals.
The city council declined to act on PETA’s letter. Sycamore Mall representatives from that time said they had done a background check on the show, and couldn’t find any evidence of PETA’s allegations.
But the new Netflix series shines a light on allegations that Exotic often abused the animals, the details of which are also documented on the animal rights web site 911animalabuse.com.
In January, Exotic was sentenced to 22 years in prison on 17 wildlife trafficking charges, as well as for trying to hire someone on two separate occasions to murder a vocal animal rights activist in Florida.