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‘Tiger King’ Star Doc Antle Sentenced to Prison for Trafficking

Bhagavan “Doc” Antle, known for his appearance in the Netflix series “Tiger King,” has been sentenced to a year and a day in prison for violating federal laws related to animal trafficking. On July 8, 2025, Antle, aged 65, also received a fine of $55,000 after pleading guilty to charges of trafficking in exotic animals and money laundering. His guilty plea, made in November 2023, marked a significant chapter in the ongoing legal issues surrounding figures from the controversial documentary.

Antle’s illegal activities involved the purchase of endangered species for his facility, the Myrtle Beach Safari, located in South Carolina. Prosecutor Patrick Duggan detailed that Antle engaged in a black market trade, knowingly selling and buying animals such as chimpanzees, lions, and tigers without the necessary permits. These actions contribute to a larger issue of poaching and illegal wildlife trafficking.

While federal guidelines would typically warrant a prison sentence of around two years, Judge Joseph Dawson III acknowledged Antle’s contributions to animal conservation efforts during the sentencing. Friends and family members testified to his charitable work, claiming he raised substantial funds to combat poaching and preserve natural habitats for various endangered species.

Antle expressed remorse during the hearing, stating, “I made a mistake, I did stupid things,” and expressed hope to rebuild his reputation and continue his work with animals.

The Myrtle Beach Safari has become well-known for allowing visitors to interact with young animals, charging fees that range from $200 for short encounters to $7,000 for unique overnight experiences. Despite the legal challenges, the facility remains operational by reservation only.

According to prosecutors, Antle laundered over $500,000 to finance his animal purchases. This included accepting large “donations” to his conservation foundation while circumventing legal restrictions by claiming to keep the animals in their state of purchase before moving them to his zoo.

Antle’s case echoes the legal troubles faced by other “Tiger King” figures, including Joe Exotic, who is currently serving a 21-year federal sentence for a murder-for-hire plot. Two of Antle’s employees have also received sentences for their involvement in his illegal activities. Meredith Bybee received one year of probation for selling a chimpanzee, while Andrew “Omar” Sawyer was sentenced to two years of probation for aiding in money laundering efforts.

The case has highlighted ongoing concerns about the regulation of exotic animal trade and the challenges posed by illegal trafficking to both wildlife conservation and public safety.

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