"A Ventura County animal sanctuary has been ordered to pay more than $50,000 in penalties and other fees for housing exotic animals without permits. The sanctuary, Born to Be Free in Frazier Park, was found to be in possession of African lions, leopards, warthogs, a European brown bear, a serval, a fishing cat, a leopard-tiger hybrid, a lion-tiger hybrid and a wolf-dog hybrid, the Ventura County district attorney's office said in a news release."
"(Ventura County district attorney's office) The sanctuary did not obtain restricted species permits to care for these animals, as required by California law, the release said. "California's restricted species laws exist for a reason - these animals require specialized care, secure facilities, and experienced handlers," Nathaniel Arnold, deputy director and chief of law enforcement for the state wildlife agency, said in a statement."
Born to Be Free in Frazier Park housed African lions, leopards, warthogs, a European brown bear, a serval, a fishing cat, a leopard-tiger hybrid, a lion-tiger hybrid and a wolf-dog hybrid. California law requires restricted species permits to care for such animals. Complaints prompted a March inspection by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the animals were removed in May and relocated to other facilities. A Ventura County Superior Court stipulated judgment approved Nov. 18 imposes a permanent injunction barring possession of restricted species without a permit and orders payment of $50,435 in penalties, fees and agency reimbursement. Sanctuary owner Rhea Gardner accepted transfers before incorporation.
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