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Cherokee Bear Zoo cited for Animal Welfare Act violations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has cited the Cherokee Bear Zoo for violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act.

During the agency’s Jan. 5 inspection, the officials found that the Cherokee Bear Zoo was failing to provide adequate veterinary care to a 3- to 4-month-old tiger cub that had not been vaccinated, according to the report.

Cherokee Bear Zoo acquired the cub when he was about 4 weeks old and fed him only milk replacer and no supplements. The USDA cited the zoo for failing to feed the cub an adequate, veterinarian-approved diet.

“It’s inexcusable that this cruel pit remains licensed when it repeatedly violates the most basic provisions of the laws designed to protect animals,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “The USDA has ample reason to revoke the Cherokee Bear Zoo’s license and should do so immediately.”

Animal-rights activists for two years or so have been calling on the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to shut bear-keeping facilities down.