By JUSTIN HIGGINBOTTOM/Jefferson Public Radio
A Dec. 3 inspection by the United States Department of Agriculture cited eight direct violations of the Animal Welfare Act at West Coast Game Park Safari in Bandon.
Those violations include an inspector finding a 16-year-old lioness confined to a dark, feces-covered den lacking ventilation or a heater. The USDA report also notes that after a fishing cat — a small feline from Asia — fell off his perch in December it was unable to move and later died without owners consulting a veterinarian.
“The facility had one staff member to feed, water, clean enclosures, care for and provide basic husbandry needs for over 300 animals at this facility,” the inspection reads. “Eight freezers in the non-domestic cat food prep area were examined. Three were completely empty with one of those no[t] working and which contained only a dead rodent… It is unclear how long the cats were without food or were rationed.”
Cydnee Bence, with the animal-advocacy group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, notes the zoo has a history of citations for the mistreatment of their animals.
In 2024, West Coast Game Park Safari amassed over 50 Animal Welfare Act violations according to USDA reports.
According to the USDA, a facility is typically given a date to come into compliance with the law when investigators find violations. In serious or continuing violations the agency may suspend or revoke a facility’s license, issue a cease-and-desist order or enact civil penalties.
In 2024, the park received an official warning related to safety concerns over handling animals near a public audience.
“[Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service} will continue to inspect this facility at a frequency determined by compliance history to ensure any previously documented non-compliances are corrected and to ensure that [Animal Welfare Act]-regulated animals are protected to the fullest extent of Federal law,” said USDA spokesperson Andre Bell through email.
The owners of West Coast Game Park Safari did not respond to requests for comment. A phone call to the facility provides a contact for meat donations. The zoo, which has operated since 1968, features over 300 animals including exotic cats, capybaras and a bear.
- This is from the Northwest News Network, a collaboration between public media organizations in Oregon and Washington.
Oh my God my prayers have been answered!! After a stop there in 2023 I left in tears. and prayed for animals in my car leaving. It was in such poor condition the animals looked miserable. I emailed channel 8 local news and reported it but nothing came of it. I also warned people on the review page
Our family has gone there for years. We have seen many things that just didn’t seem right. But, who do you report to? I would like an official poster, like the ones in places of employment, listing what to look for, who and how to contact, and contact hotlines We are all responsible for animal welfare.
My husband and I were there in 2024 and left in tears. The animals were not taken care of and we reported it to PETA , We’re so glad these animals are going somewhere they can be treated better. This place needs to be shut down permanently.
These violations don’t mean that the animals are going elsewhere or the park is shutting down.
We can all help by reporting what we observe to the correct authoritative offices. 🙂
They shouldn’t be given any more chances. The animals are in dire need of care they’re not getting and will continue not getting because nothing will change. We need more people like you to step up and be a voice for these poor animals.
I absolutely agree — no more chances. I went there years and years ago and it made me uneasy. But I ignored my intuition.
Same. It was a sad day when I decided to stop there.
why deer park is still able to be in business? not understanding why they are still there, plenty of evidence they do not care about the animals. my heart hurts just thinking about them,the animals. please shut them down.
You can file a complaint with the agency that did the inspection here:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/awa/regulatory-enforcement/complaint
Thank you, Lee we can all do our part.
Why are they still operating when they had a history of basically animal neglect? I think they just don’t really care. Someone needs to get it right and pull their business license find a reputable place with a facility that cares
This is very sad. Considering it does have the capability for actually being a rehabilitation for animals if ran correctly. I am sure funding and finding proper help is a big problem. Especially if the owner has any financial and health issues. I used to love going there 35 years ago, it was a haven of joy. This makes me so sad for the animals and even the people who own it who probably had a dream of caring for animals and being a sanctuary when the place was conceived.
It doesn’t seem like their dreams for helping sick and helpless animals in depression of nutritional assistance and medical attention. Seems like all they done was put the animals in a worse situation. If they can’t find it on their own then they should have been asking for donations like so many other facilities that help thousands of animals they had animals their that are endangered species and they were risking making the number closer to extinction. This beyond sad. I’ve always dreamed of being able to have the opportunity to run a facility like this and help every kind of animal that needs care. I would love to do something like that. It breaks my heart to see these kind of reports.
The owners just paid for a new billboard on Highway 101 near Langlois that shows where their priorities lay. Everyone needs to raise their voices to every and all public officials or nothing will be done. I also urge everyone to leave a google review telling the truth or more and more unsuspecting tourists will keep this place in business.
I concur with the person saying the park should have its license revoked and be shut down. Surely there are facilities around the country that would accept some of these poor beasts and give them a decent home ?.
Seems like the animal welfare agency just keeps kicking the can down the road…
We took our granddaughter there last summer and it was so disgusting we left within 20 minutes. The animals all looked uncredited for, not lively, the place was disgustingly dirty, the animals barely moved and the staff were non existent. We had been at this park several years ago with our oldest grandchildren comparing then and now is just so sad and dreary. Cruelty to animals is not right. Obviously the owners only want the money they are raking in from unsuspecting guests which is also not right. Shut them down.
I don’t understand if the animals are being kept in this ridiculously inept condition that the place isn’t immediately shut down and these animals taken somewhere where they can be cared for humanely. This business that they keep giving them opportunity after opportunity. While these poor animals continue to suffer. We supposedly have laws in this country against treating animals like this, but even when it’s obvious they’re being broken, nothing gets done.
It takes time and you have to follow the law. All things must be in place to proceed with such things, and if you don’t have all the evidence and facts straight you could just end up giving those animals all back due to getting a non guilty verdict. Remember the Tiger King? It takes a while to build a case. Unless they’re dying and an emergency seize is in place, the animals have to stay where they are until all is worked out. Unfortunately the law can be slow, but if not done by the book no one will get charged and the animals will suffer more in the end.
That place is absolutely horrible. Please tell everyone you know not to go there and And for the love of God and those poor animals, can someone please, finally, close it down.
This place gave me PTSD in 2012. It was the saddest thing I’ve ever seen and I was shook. An older chimp, with hardly any fur, was so cold. She was hugging herself and festering to people. The big cats were pacing. All petting animals were starving and following people. I emailed several officials and never got a response.
This is beyond horrible. What likely began in the 1960’s with good intentions has turned into a horror show for these wonderful animals. It’s beyond time to shut it down. Too many violations over too long a period. Close it now. These animals deserve better.
To hear this, breaks my heart. The owners should have reached out, but since they didn’t those poor animals suffered. All those animals need a new home. So, they live out there lives in peace. The owners should never, ever get to raise animals or be around animals again!
I just created a Facebook group called “This Zoo Sucks: West Coast Game Park Safari in Bandon, Oregon”. Please join and tell your story, leave a comment, or just lurk. Your mere presence as a member will move the needle towards the eventual day when this house of horrors is shuttered forever.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/9258417124195159/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT
I have had mixed feelings about wanting to go and see the animals. I love animals, but after leaving the zoo last time, I left feeling sad. I know the Oregon Zoo take great care of all the animals, so I’m not comparing. After reading this, I’m thankful I didn’t go. I would’ve broken down see the sadness and despair. Mistreatment of animals and especially, while profiting should be illegal. Of course most places aren’t gonna give proper care to wild, exotic animals. I can’t even get my damn neighbors to get their cats spayed and neutered 🙁
I’m so glad they saved that poor chimpanzee! We went there in 2022. It’s cage was tiny. I talked to him gently and he lashed out at me as if he had been priorly bullied. Broke my heart because that was no place for a Chimpanzee to be in! I could see the pain in his eyes.
Sadly it didn’t say they confiscated any of the animals. Just that they were guilty of multiple violations including in regards to the chimp. No place should be charged with violations as much as this place and not have the animals confiscated. Hoping they do soon.
I don’t want to be redundant, but if all of you commenting here would simply post a complaint at the link I provided in an earlier comment, it would be a lot more useful than simply commenting here or on facebook. That link goes to the agency that is responsible for regulating this place and if enough of you complain they will certainly pay attention. Don’t be general in your complaints. Be specific about when you were there and what you saw that you thought was a problem in terms of animal welfare. Lots of specific examples will help the feds, not just general complaints.
Thank you for sharing the link. Please keep sharing it on social media so it’s easy to share and pass around. I have wanted that place shut down for so long.
Unfortunately, just saying this is sad will not fix anything. If you visit the USDA site that lists inspection reports you will see problems going back to 2015 yet nothing has changed. Everyone who truly cares needs to speak loudly and to our state and federal officials. Below is a list of links and email addresses where one can file a complaint. In addition to that everyone should enter a google review so as to not perpetuate further support and misinformation. This is occurring in our own backyard and therefore all of us are responsible for doing everything we can. Unfortunately, we live in a time where people post “this is sad” and consider that good enough, but it is not. I implore everyone who is outraged and sadden by the treatment of these animal to contact their local legislators and the governor’s office to voice just that.