Roadside zoos are facilities that feature animals confined in cages, aiming to attract passing motorists with the promise of seeing, feeding, or interacting with the animals. These establishments surged in popularity during the 1950s, alongside the rise of automobile travel. Initially, they showcased farm animals and local wildlife, offering attractions like donkey rides and snake pits. However, the 1960s breeding boom of exotic animals led to the inclusion of species such as tigers—now a centerpiece of many roadside zoos. Presently, there are over 3,000 of these facilities spread across 44 states, with many housing multiple tigers.
Despite their zoo-like appearance, these facilities are not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and lack standardized care protocols. Common issues include inadequate living spaces, poor nutrition, insufficient veterinary care, and minimal shelter. For instance, a full-grown tiger weighing 500 pounds may be confined to a cramped 4 by 8-foot cage for its entire life. Often, these animals are kept in overcrowded and stressful conditions, and de-clawed tigers may be placed with tigers that still have their claws, leaving them unable to defend themselves or compete for food. Due to poor nutrition standards, these animals frequently subsist on roadkill or discarded food, leading to premature deaths.
As roadside zoos evolved, some began marketing themselves as sanctuaries, misleading the public by using the term without any legal or ethical constraints. These so-called sanctuaries often continue to breed, buy, and sell animals, contrary to the principles of genuine sanctuaries, which provide lifelong care with spacious enclosures, proper nutrition, enrichment, and medical attention.
A related phenomenon involves businesses using tigers as a draw for their primary operations. From wineries and bed-and-breakfasts to truck stops and flea markets, these establishments treat tigers as mere props. When a tiger becomes ill or dies, it is often replaced without regard for its well-being.
Tony the Truck Stop Tiger has become a symbol of the fight against such roadside zoos. Tony, who lived at a truck stop on Interstate 10 in Louisiana, spent his entire life in a small, unsanitary enclosure exposed to diesel fumes, all for the entertainment of customers. His plight underscores the urgent need to address the welfare of animals in these facilities.
To protect animal welfare, it is crucial to avoid supporting roadside zoos and fraudulent sanctuaries. True sanctuaries adhere to ethical practices and provide genuine care for their animals, unlike the exploitative operations of many roadside attractions.