'Doc' Antle from 'Tiger King' fame has been indicted on wildlife trafficking charges

Editor's note (10/4/23): Since this story was published, Antle was convicted of two felony counts of wildlife trafficking and two felony counts of conspiring to traffic wildlife. He was sentenced to a two-year suspended sentence and a $10,000 fine. The judge also said Antle is not allowed to work, own, possess, broker, buy, sell, trade, transfer, barter or donate any exotic animals for five years in Virginia.

Bhagavan "Doc" Antle, one of the many characters in Netflix's "Tiger King," has been indicted on wildlife trafficking charges after an investigation by Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring.

Antle owns a private zoo in South Carolina called Myrtle Beach Safari, which was featured in "Tiger King." He's previously said he was "very disappointed" in his portrayal in the documentary, CNN affiliate WPDE-TV reported.

"I have spent my entire professional life promoting the welfare and conservation of big cats and other species. I have deep regard and feelings for the animals in my care and would never hurt or abuse them in any way," Antle told CNN.

"I look forward to being able to answer these charges and to be able to clear my good name," he said.

Herring's Animal Law Unit investigated Antle's relationship with Keith Wilson, the owner of Wilson's Wild Animal Park in Virginia, and found that both men trafficked lion cubs between South Carolina and Virginia, according to a news release from Herring's office.

A search warrant was executed in August 2019 at Wilson's park, where authorities seized 119 animals including tigers, bears, lions, goats, camels, water buffalo and more, the release said.