More than 100 animals, living and dead, seized from Virginia roadside zoo after criminal investigation launched

The authorities have launched a criminal investigation into a roadside zoo in western Virginia. More than 100 animals, both living and dead, have been removed from the zoo.

The New York Post reported that a warrant was executed on Wednesday at the Natural Bridge Zoo in Rockbridge County. A total of 89 living animals were removed from the premises, and another 28 deceased animals were also taken away.

The Virginia State Police are carrying out the investigation alongside the office of Attorney General Jason Miyares. The warrant stated that the investigation had been launched in relation to the mistreatment of the animals.

Eight years ago, the Natural Bridge Zoo was at the center of an undercover investigation relating to the mistreatment of animals. The Humane Society of the United States posted a YouTube video showing the details of the probe. The video has amassed more than 1.3 million views in that time.

Miyares spokesperson Victoria LaCivita stated the following in an email on Friday: “Animal Law Unit offers support and prosecution of animal cruelty cases upon request of a local Commonwealth’s Attorney or law enforcement agency. Because this is an ongoing criminal investigation, we cannot comment further.”

The Daily News reported that the animals taken from the zoo included macaws, pythons, lemurs, and llamas. A tiger that was taken from the zoo was reportedly euthanized after a medical examination.

Despite the revelations of the mistreatment of the animals at the zoo, Debbie Morgensen — who runs the place with her husband, Karl — said the legal action taken against her zoo has not been fair.

Morgensen's lawyer, Mario Williams, said that the seizure of the animals was "an abuse of authority, and we're absolutely going to fight this all the way up and down."

Details of the alleged mistreatment of the animals came after an employee turned informant reported that the zoo had carried out widespread abuse of the animals.

The informant claimed that one elephant at the attraction was made to stand and sleep in her own urine, was put in chains, and was subjected to cold baths. The elephant was also "jabbed" by the caretaker in order to intimidate her, according to Daily News.

“The most alarming issue was a deceased goat in the African Pygmy Goat exhibit,” one affidavit said. “This deceased goat remained there for over an hour unnoticed by staff and by the time we left was bloated and stiff.”

The Daily News reached out to the zoo for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

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