310 Animals Removed from Oregon Safari Park

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A total of 310 animals were relocated to accredited sanctuaries or rescue facilities after the Oregon State Police searched the West Coast Game Park Safari in Bandon last week.

The four-day search of the wildlife park ended late Sunday night, the Oregon State Police said in a release Tuesday afternoon. None of the animals seized were released into the wild, they said, but three animals — a camel, a chicken and a kinkajou — were put down because of their physical condition.

The ongoing investigation now turns to processing all the evidence from the search. Authorities said there is no more information that’s releasable at this time.

Officials earlier said the park has been at the center of a lengthy criminal investigation, and they were searching for evidence related to animal care and welfare, permitting, licensing and business practices.

Newly obtained documents reveal disturbing findings too, including neglected animals, lack of vet care, and in one case a dead tiger stored in a freezer with frozen turkeys.

“Over the last 11 years, I’ve never seen anything quite like this. The amount of agencies — the amount of people. I believe there was more officers from all the different agencies than there are in the entirety of Coos County,” said Coos County Sheriff Gabe Fabrizio. “We’ve been getting community complaints about that place for a long time, but because of our limited resources and our size, just logistically, we weren’t able to handle it ourselves.”

A petition was created last year regarding people’s concerns about the park.

The park remains closed and the community is asked to avoid the facility.