The Federal Bureau of Investigation has arrested a Myrtle Beach safari owner who was made popular in the 2020 Netflix documentary series Tiger King.
Bhagavan Antle, known as “Doc”, was arrested on Friday evening, according to the Horry County booking website. He is being held at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center.
No charges have been posted yet.
The arrest comes just weeks after animal rights organization PETA publicly called for an investigation into Antle, according to information from WMBF News. PETA has accused Antle of using charitable donations to fund his roadside zoo while claiming to support wildlife conservation.
In the letters, PETA states that Antle “raises big cats, prematurely separates the cubs from their mothers, and forces them and other animals into stressful and dangerous public encounters — activities that do not benefit the well-being of the animals.” be animals and have no conservation value. .”
An FBI source told WMBF News that the agency arrested Antle, but provided no further information.
The WMBF also contacted the Rare Species Fund, the South Carolina Secretary of State and the IRS for comment shortly after PETA requested an investigation. These entities did not respond to a request for comment.