Big Cat Rescue, the sanctuary made famous by the Netflix series "Tiger King," has sold a significant portion of its Hillsborough County property for $19.5 million. The sale, which occurred in December, will pave the way for new housing developments. The animals from the sanctuary have been relocated to a larger facility in Arkansas, with the proceeds from the sale intended to support the Baskins’ ongoing mission to combat big cat extinction and fund feline care globally.
Property Sale and Future Developments
Big Cat Rescue, co-owned by Howard and Carole Baskin, finalized the sale of a substantial part of its Hillsborough County land. The transaction, valued at $19.5 million, was made to an entity linked to Boos Development. This sale marks a significant transition for the organization, which had occupied nearly 70 acres in the area. The land is slated for the development of approximately 280 townhouses. Howard Baskin indicated that another developer is expected to purchase the remaining 11 acres for the construction of 300 apartments.
- Sale Price: $19.5 million
- Buyer: Entity linked to Boos Development
- Future Use: Approximately 280 townhouses and 300 apartments
Animal Relocation and Mission Continuation
The animals previously housed at the Tampa sanctuary have been moved to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas. The Baskins funded the construction of larger, more suitable enclosures at the Arkansas facility, which is roughly six times the size of their former property. Howard Baskin expressed satisfaction with the move, noting that the cats appear happy in their new environment. The funds generated from the property sale will be directed towards the Baskins’ continued efforts to protect wild cats from extinction and to cover the ongoing care of their animals.
Financial Allocation and Advocacy
Howard Baskin stated that the proceeds from the sale will be utilized to support their fight against the extinction of wild cats and to finance the care of their relocated animals. He described the sale as a "win-win-win" situation, allowing them to shift their focus while continuing their advocacy. The Baskins have been instrumental in the passage of the Big Cat Public Safety Act in 2022, which aims to curb the cub petting industry and regulate the breeding and ownership of certain big cat species. Their work in Hillsborough County will now concentrate on global feline welfare initiatives.
Property Fraud Alert System Highlighted
In a separate but related development in Hillsborough County, the effectiveness of the county’s property fraud alert system was highlighted. This system, which notifies homeowners of suspicious activity related to their property, played a role in a case where a married couple was arrested for alleged property fraud. The system, which has been in place since 2015, allows residents to register their homes to receive alerts when documents are filed against them, potentially preventing significant financial losses and legal complications.
Sources
- Big Cat Rescue sells off Tampa property, Bay News 9.
- Big Cat Rescue sells off Tampa property, Spectrum News.
- Big Cat Rescue sells large portion of Hillsborough property for $19.5M, FOX 13 Tampa Bay.
- Hillsborough County property fraud alert system helped catch married couple accused of stealing home, FOX 13 Tampa Bay.