*Content warning: mentions of animal abuse*

Hello all!
I assume the majority of Lioden users are animal lovers, or at least big cat lovers!

I truly appreciate the work Lioden staff put in to bring attention to issues such as pollution, wild fires, deforestation and more. In the past, the community have helped donate to issues such as the Australian wildfires that happened early this year. I think it's amazing that not only do we play this game for fun, but as a community, we care about animals and the environment!

Tiger King, or Joe Exotic, has been a very popular documentary that became an internet sensation. If you haven't got a chance to watch it, you'll have probably picked up some stuff from memes and jokes that have been spread around.

What I am concerned with, is a site like Lioden giving Joe Exotic more popularity and making jokes out of a dark topic a lot of people may not be aware of.
I wanna add a lil disclaimer: I am all for fun and jokes. I am all for offensive jokes and humour. But I personally find this subject wrong for a site like Lioden, which has been so progressive with the way they handle issues related to animal (and environmental) activism.


A very quick, brief explanation
Joseph Schreibvogel, is an exotic animal breeder who opened up a zoo in 1999. The number of animals kept here over that time period roughly estimates to about 700.

The issues:
> Breeding exotic animals such as tigers and lions with no aim to preserve and protect the breed is extremely worrying, and plays a huge part in backyard breeding, a term used to describe people who breed for the wrong reasons.

> Backyard breeders will breed for: "rare" colours, mutations, anything that will get them rich and popular. They do not breed for health or to better the species.

> Sanctuaries will breed for the preservation of endangered animals work with scientists and professional biologists to help a species. This is not Joe Exotic

> Joe Exotic is popular for purposely breeding lions and tigers to have mutations that can cause issues and suffering.

> The enclosures these animals were kept in were unsuitable for animals to perform natural behaviours, causing these gorgeous animals to develop stereotypical behaviours (as a result of stress and depression). It was a result of complete abuse and neglect.

> Joe Exotic admitted to setting fire to a building with alligators inside, knowing they were in there.

Please, if you are not aware of the issues with "white" lions and " golden" tigers, read here to see how serious it really is:
issues with white lions
issues with white and golden tigers


I could go on, and I may add more to this, but I urge you to do your own research into why Joeseph and his neglect towards endangered animals.

In conclusion, I really don't want to see jokes about this topic. I personally do not find joy in memes about animal abusers, and I know there are people who may feel the same. I hope I've brought this to the attention of both staff and members.

Thank you for reading. I do not wish to discuss the topic of Carole Baskin either, who, I don't believe is great either.
Feel free to pm me if you think there's anything that could be added here.