Carole Baskin

Carole Baskin is an American animal rights activist and the CEO of Big Cat Rescue, a non-profit sanctuary for exotic cats located near Tampa, Florida. She gained international attention after being featured in the 2020 Netflix documentary series Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness, which focuses on the captive tiger trade in the United States and the feud between Baskin and Joe Exotic, the owner of a private zoo in Oklahoma.

Early Life

Carole Baskin was born on June 6, 1961, in Bexar County, Texas. Little is known about her early life before she became involved in animal rescue. Baskin has stated that she had a lifelong interest in saving cats and began rescuing cats at a young age.

Career

In 1992, Carole Baskin and her then-husband Don Lewis founded Wildlife on Easy Street, an animal sanctuary that later became Big Cat Rescue. The sanctuary aims to provide a home for abused and abandoned big cats and to advocate for the end of private ownership and trade of exotic animals in the U.S.

Under Baskin's leadership, Big Cat Rescue has grown into one of the largest accredited sanctuaries in the world dedicated to abused and abandoned big cats. The sanctuary is home to lions, tigers, leopards, and other exotic cats, providing them with a safe environment.

Baskin has also been a vocal advocate for the Big Cat Public Safety Act, legislation aimed at prohibiting the private ownership of big cats as pets and the exploitation of these animals in cub petting operations.

Controversy

Carole Baskin's work and life came under public scrutiny with the release of Tiger King. The series depicted her long-standing feud with Joe Exotic, who was convicted in 2019 for his role in a murder-for-hire plot against Baskin, among other charges. The documentary also delved into the disappearance of Baskin's former husband, Don Lewis, in 1997, leading to various theories and speculations about her involvement, though she has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Personal Life

Carole Baskin has been married three times. Her second husband, Don Lewis, disappeared in 1997 under mysterious circumstances. In 2004, she married Howard Baskin, who is also involved in Big Cat Rescue's operations.

In Popular Culture

Carole Baskin's prominence rose significantly after Tiger King aired, making her a subject of media fascination and public discourse. She has been parodied in various forms of media and has used her newfound fame to further advocate for animal rights and the welfare of big cats.

See Also

• Animal rights
• Wildlife conservation
• Exotic pet