Lions Tigers and Bears welcomed two new residents in Oc¬tober, a coatimundi and a potbellied pig who arrived following a lawsuit by PETA against the now-shuttered Waccatee Zoo in South Carolina.
In the wild, coatimundis live in tight-knit bands of up to 30 individuals and spend much of their time in tall trees. Pigs get bored easily, require significant mental stimulation, and crave the companionship of other pigs. Yet at roadside zoos, animals are often confined to dismal, barren cages and de¬prived of adequate food, water, shelter, and veterinary care. Baby animals are frequently torn away from their mothers to be used in stressful public encounters, and adult animals may suffer from psychological distress because of constant frustration, loneliness, and even abuse.
According to the lawsuit, Waccatee denied animals adequate shelter from the elements, space, and security and failed to provide other animals with adequate nutrition.
