Authorities have seized 310 animals from West Coast Game Park Safari in Bandon, Oregon, after years of documented neglect and mounting legal violations. A four-day operation involving state, federal, and local agencies led to the closure of the facility, with the animals relocated to accredited sanctuaries.
The raid followed years of formal complaints, repeated federal warnings, and mounting public concern. The park, known as a roadside zoo and petting facility, had long been criticized for failing to meet minimum animal care standards, sparking a coordinated intervention that concluded in mid-May.
Repeated Violations and Deteriorating Conditions
Federal records indicate that West Coast Game Park Safari was cited at least 78 times over the past year by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
These included cases of underfed large cats, unsanitary living environments, and improper handling of animals near visitors. A December 2024 inspection found that a single staff member was tasked with caring for over 300 animals, and that food supplies for carnivores like lions were depleted.
According to Oregon State Police (OSP), three animals — a camel, a kinkajou, and a chicken — were euthanized due to critical health conditions. Images released during the investigation showed visibly emaciated animals, including a lion with protruding ribs.
The USDA also reported missing exotic animals and unreported health issues, pointing to what officials described as a “pattern of neglect.”
OSP Captain Kyle Kennedy confirmed that the seizure followed an investigation launched in fall 2024. “That took us some time to go through the investigation, really obtain the evidence needed to get to this operation,” Kennedy told KATU News.
Relocation to Sanctuaries and Criminal Inquiry Underway
The seized animals were transported to accredited sanctuaries and rescue facilities, none of which released the animals into the wild, according to the OSP.
Species relocated include large cats such as lions and leopards, as well as primates and other exotic mammals. The enclosures were reportedly assessed for structural safety and hygiene before the animals were moved.
The park’s owner, Brian Tenney, has not responded to media inquiries. No criminal charges have been filed as of yet, but OSP noted that a thorough review of the collected evidence is underway. “That’s a lot of information that investigators are going to now have to sift through and catalog,” Kennedy said.
PETA and the Animal Legal Defense Fund have called for the permanent closure of the facility. The West Coast Game Park Safari was not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, distinguishing it from Oregon’s recognized zoological institutions.
The park’s website had promoted it as America’s “largest wild animal petting park” since its founding in 1972.
