FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) Myrtle Beach Safari owner Bhagavan Doc Antle, facing federal money-laundering and wildlife trafficking charges, was back in court Wednesday Antle called The Doc Antle Story poorly done, though he thought the original Tiger King was well-done despite being what hes called entertainment and not a true documentary. David Wetzel serves in both editor and reporter roles for The Sun News. Thank you very much for your attention to this message. In 2020, Antle was charged with nine counts of cruelty to animals, six counts of selling endangered species and two wildlife trafficking charges. This little guy liked to walk around with his high heels on (hes got some hard feet), but he was pretty darn cute. Doc credits his great love for wild and exotic animals to his upbringing on a vast cattle ranch in Arizona where he spent his formative years. Antle founded The Institute for Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (T.I.G.E.R.S. In 1983 Doc founded T.I.G.E.R.S. I also got one to take home, which Miss Bea wears weekly! The trainers clearly love the animals they work with, and we even learned some of the animal cubs actually sleep with their trainers. You have permission to edit this article. Mahamayavi Bhagavan Doc Antle is the founder and director of The Institute for Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (T.I.G.E.R.S. While closed earlier this year due to the pandemic, the safaris website indicates that it is back accepting visitors. An animal I wasnt expecting was a warthog! U.S. Attorney Corey F. Ellis stated that all charges in the indictment are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Columbia, SC 29201, Columbia:(803) 929-3000 The latest charges against Antle and Sawyer carry up to 20 years in prison. In April 2021, Myrtle Beach resident Shirley Ann Smothers was bitten by a primate that is believed to have escaped from Myrtle Beach Safari. } } Myrtle Beach Safari offers the chance to meet and greet about eleven different animals in an exciting way. But seriously, lemurs are so incredibly soft! "Are You the One?" They (Netflix) just wanted that cult vibe.". Just dont base all of your decisions from a TV show that was made to take down Joe Exotic. Im a while away from making the trip, so to get something remotely close within the Antle admitted at the time to having multiple relationships simultaneously, but pointed to being single as justification. (Bustle reached out to Antle for comment on the series, but has not received a response). field59.ipo = { nmasuda@postandcourier.com, Myrtle Beach Safari owner claims Netflix's 'Tiger King' exaggerated, denies having a harem, New South Carolina law will make private ownership of wild animals illegal, Facing animal cruelty charges, 'Doc' Antle takes aim at animal extremists' and Tiger King, Oklahoma judge orders 'Tiger King' zoo to turn over big cats, Daughter of 'Tiger King' star Doc Antle arrested after Myrtle Beach traffic stop, 'Tiger King' Joe Exotic resentenced to 21 years in prison, 'Tiger King' star Doc Antle facing up to 20 years in prison on money laundering charges, FBI investigation details 'Tiger King' star Doc Antles alleged money laundering, 'Tiger King' star Doc Antle should be freed over health issues his lawyers plan to argue, Richland Two superintendent resigns after 6-hour closed-door board meeting, Charleston's Carnival ship set sail on a cruise to nowhere, Large town center-type project planned for North Charleston near new I-26 interchange. Im a wildlife biologist with nearly 20 years of experience there is absolutely no way you can have the constant presence of cubs without abuse taking place. Sammut is the owner and ), has been indicted on animal cruelty and wildlife trafficking in Virginia, the states attorney general announced on Friday. Federal documents also claim that Antle and his business associate, Andrew Sawyer, laundered over $500,000 in cash they believed to be the proceeds of an operation to smuggle illegal immigrants across the Mexican border into the United States. All Rights Reserved. He also goes by "Mahamayavi" Antle. Bybee, Sammut and Clay each face up to five years in federal prison for the charges related to the wildlife trafficking. Strikers protest Dollar General store in Irmo, sign of latest labor advocacy in SC, Legendary football coach Jerry Brown out at Berkeley High School, Hot chicken taking over Columbia restaurant spot; new coffee place gets ready to brew, South Carolina Supreme Court on track to be all male for the first time in 35 years, Several cadets at SC National Guard youth academy hospitalized after 'incident', Details for Donald Trump's first SC 2024 presidential campaign event announced. A follow up series called "The Doc Antle Story" focused on allegations that Antle participated in animal mistreatment, sexual abuse and violence. Myrtle Beach Safari has ALWAYS been in 100% compliance and never in violation of federal or state animal welfare laws.. Also, who owns the Safari in Myrtle Beach?SOCASTEE, S.C. (WBTW) Myrtle Beach Safari owner Doc Antle denied all allegations made in a new three-part docuseries that premiered Wells Fargo Building But everybody does that who meets me. Why Youll Recognize the Are You the One? Host, Horry police wrongly arrested man, then put dead deer he hit in his truck, lawsuit says, Customer asks clerk to check old lottery ticket and later discovers big SC prize, Wife of man found in garbage bags under Murrells Inlet house has been pleads guilty, Suspect arrested after armed robbery reported at three Myrtle Beach businesses, This Little River distillery has a hidden speakeasy room. I so would have loved to ride her too, but I imagine there just isnt time for that. A federal criminal complaint for 62-year-old Doc Antle, who is also known for being in the Netflix show Tiger King, was unsealed on Monday. While the Fund does not limit its geographic footprint, its support has primarily focused on projects in South America, Africa, and Thailand. Florence:(843) 665-6688. Netflixs new three-episode docuseries, Tiger King: The Doc Antle Story, delves into the exotic animal zoo owners lifelong abuses of power, likening him to a cult leader and alleging through numerous testimonies that he has a history of abusing and manipulating people particularly young women. 1441 Main Street Suite 500 Please do your research on this place. Two of Antles daughters, Tawny Antle and Tilakam Watterson, were also indicted on misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals. According to Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring, the states Animal Law Unit had been investigating the trafficking and cruelty for months. Ride-along: What does it take to run a Charleston food truck? The charges are related to lion cubs transported from a Virginia facility, Wilsons Wild Animal Park, to Antles facility in Myrtle Beach, also known as The Institute for Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (T.I.G.E.R.S.). A spokesperson for the FBI said that it cannot provide information on if the businesses are part of an investigation. The complaint alleges that Antle discussed his plan to conceal the cash he received by inflating tourist numbers at the Myrtle Beach Safari, and that in the past he had used bulk cash receipts to purchase animals for which he could not use checks. Earlier this year Wilson was found guilty of 27 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. His legal battle is ongoing, with his trial set to begin July 25, 2022. (Tawny was arrested again on Dec. 1, 2021 for the unlawful possession of a pistol, but was later released. The animals are taught from birth to not only accept humans into their lives, but also the other animals on the property. Hes just a whole other kind of character. Over the years, he has more than 35 USDA violations for mistreating animals. I had no idea Myrtle Beach had such an experience, and it appears many are unaware. Assistant U.S. From a very young age, Doc began raising and caring for every animal that he could get his hands on. They wanted a story they thought would sell, he said. Antle also discussed plans to conceal the cash by inflating the number of visitors to Myrtle Beach Safari. If you do the math, you will see its is impossible to find enough AZA-accredited zoos and sanctuaries to house these animals. Myrtle Beach Safari owner Mahamayavi Bhagavan "Doc" Antle. Box 31210 Myrtle Beach, SC 29588. Its all a joke: Myrtle Beach Safari owner gives take on upcoming Tiger King season, Tiger Kings latest docu-series will zoom in on Myrtle Beach Safaris Doc Antle, Who Is Kamie Crawford? There are plenty of immoral allegations against Bhagavan Doc Antle in Tiger King: The Doc Antle Story.. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. We have a very long road ahead of us. U.S. Attorney's Office, District of South Carolina, Doc Antle, Owner of Myrtle Beach Safari, and Others Indicted for Federal Wildlife Trafficking and Money Laundering Crimes, Anderson Man Sentenced for Asbestos Violation, Arizona Developer Agrees to Resolve Long-Running Clean Water Act Enforcement Action for Over One Million Dollars, Doc Antle, Owner of Myrtle Beach Safari, and Others Indicted For Federal Wildlife Trafficking and Money Laundering Crimes. , Post and Courier, an Evening Post Publishing Newspaper Group. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. An award-winning journalist, he has reported on all types of news, sports and features stories in over a decade as a member of the staff. I certainly am a single guy and I live in a house by myself.". Today was nothing we did not expect., said Ryan Beasley, Antles attorney. Follow him on Twitter at @nickmasudaphoto. After meeting Hercules, we were introduced to Ramses, the Cheetah. More details surrounding Myrtle Beach Safari owner Doc Antle have been released. "That's not a documentary,"Antle told The Post and Courier in March, describing the series as "quasi-fictional drama, more focused on shock value and titillation than fact.". They will remain in jail until they go before a judge on Thursday. The animals involved included lemurs, cheetahs and a chimpanzee. Now is your chance to see it, Has The Resident Been Renewed For Season 7? Hes halfway down a mountain when he slips. Official websites use .gov Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They all live on the property with him, but Antle asserted that hes not married to any of them. Greenville:(864) 282-2100 After the cats were sent away, the wolf cubs were brought out. Environment and Natural Resources Division. ), To this day, Antle has maintained his innocence as well as the innocence of all of his family members in relation to the case. Doc Antles Wives In Tiger King, Maria Tabraue suggested that Doc Antle has three wives: Rajnee, Moksha, and China, who Antle described as his girls on the show. The Humane Society of the United States has also spoken out against Myrtle Beach Safari. Also arrested Friday was William James Dallis. as a wildlife preservation organization dedicated to promoting global conservation education through entertaining and interactive programs. What I didnt anticipate was getting up close and personal with wild animals. Explore more crossword clues and answers by clicking on the results or quizzes. Myrtle Beach Safari owner Mahamayavi Bhagavan Doc Antle. File/Provided Subscribe today! "dfpConfig": { Read moreIrene Clodfelter pleads guilty to obstructing justice in husband's Myrtle Beach-area death, A Horry County parent has sued the school district in the wake of two school employees being arrested for allegedly committing and failing to report unlawful conduct against students. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. It is the hope of Myrtle Beach Safari to continue to conserve tigers, lions, elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees and many more species in their natural habitats. To date, the RSF has contributed more than $1 million (USD) to wildlife initiatives throughout the globe. Read moreBrookgreen Gardens soon to be home to pack of endangered red wolves, Post and Courier Myrtle Beach Because the animals are so comfortable around each other, Myrtle Beach Safari has the first ever Liger. Bhagavan Doc Antle, owner of Myrtle Beach Safari, will be in court Monday afternoon. Next on the agenda was to gather the group around a small pen where we played with tiger cubs, lion cubs and lynx cubs. We got to watch her eat an entire watermelon, drink, and we fed her carrots. Drug smuggling and dealing. Hes magnificent! 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