Investigative journalist Lisa Guerrero isn’t to happy with the way people have responded to the ground-breaking documentary Tiger King, with the reporter accusing Hollywood of fetishising Joe Exotic, the central figure in the series.
Joe Exotic is currently serving a 22-year-prison sentence for trying to have Carol Baskin, founder of Big Cat Rescue, killed.
He’s also been found guilty of falsifying wildlife records and nine counts of violating the Endangered Species Act.
Despite this, Guerrero, who worked against Exotic and his treatment of the cubs, has called out the media’s portrayal of him, reminding people that she “did an investigation on him in 2010 when 23 tiger cubs died in his care. I saw some of his tiger cubs suffering from diarrhea, nausea and fear in one of his “mall exhibitions.”
Guerrero went on to acknowledge that the show had been a huge phenomenon, but also noted how “after 23 tiger cubs DIED IN HIS CARE a decade ago, I interviewed Joe Exotic & he made some shocking claims!
At the time, Exotic blamed the cub deaths on “bad formulae”, before stating he was “damn sure” that he was a responsible owner of tigers.
#TigerKing @netflix is a pop culture phenomenon and even @POTUS is talking about him, but after 23 tiger cubs DIED IN HIS CARE a decade ago, I interviewed #JoeExotic & he made some shocking claims!
Watch @InsideEdition TODAY to see what he told me about his rival, Carole Baskin. pic.twitter.com/D10kbsILbQLove Film & TV?
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— Lisa Guerrero ?? (@4lisaguerrero) April 9, 2020
WATCH: Carole Baskin speaks about Joe Exotic’s murderous plot
Tiger King has been one of the few pop culture trends to make it through the COVID-19 dominated landscape, with millions around the world tuning in to the show.
Such was it’s impact that when asked if he would pardon Joe Exotic, US President Donald Trump noted that he would “take a look.”
As shocking as the show is, it’s hard to deny its fascinating appeal – and there’s a bonus episode coming this weekend.
Expect to see many more Tiger King- related media soon…including an inevitable movie.