Connecticut Attorney General's Office
Press Release
Attorney General Urges Strong Scrutiny Of Cheetah Import Permit, Raises Questions About Private Zoo's Charitable Status
July 8, 2009
The Zoological Center at Lionshare Farm in Greenwich is a private business registered with the state, but also identifies itself as a non-profit in its cheetah import permit application.
The organization, which claims to be a zoo accredited by the Zoological Association of America (ZAA), seeks to import three cheetahs "for conservation education for the benefit of the residents of Greenwich, CT and its suburbs where there are no cheetahs in nearby zoos."
Blumenthal said that, beyond that statement, the zoo's import permit application provides few additional details about the zoo's charitable mission or its possible benefit to Connecticut. The application indicates that the captive-bred cheetahs will be used for breeding purposes, providing cheetahs to other ZAA-accredited establishments.
Blumenthal said conflicting statements about the zoo's 501(c)(3) status and its purpose -- as well as public safety concerns -- deserve strict review by federal authorities. Particularly concerning is the zoo's close proximity to several elementary schools and the densely-populated central Greenwich district.
Blumenthal has also written directly to Lionshare Farm seeking more details about the organization's legal status.
"This cheetah import application concerns me because it raises serious questions about Lionshare Farm's legal status, purpose and public safety protections," Blumenthal said. "These three cheetahs would apparently join several dozen other wild, exotic -- and incredibly dangerous -- animals now kept in Greenwich, including a lion, tiger, hyenas and a bear.
"Many residents are unaware of this private preserve, despite the zoo's claim that its services benefit Greenwich and its suburbs.
"I have a responsibility to ensure that any charitable organization in Connecticut -- including Lionshare, if it claims to be a non-profit -- fulfills its charitable mission. It is listed as a stock corporation in state records of businesses.
"The recent brutal chimp attach in Stamford has rightfully raised new alarm and awareness about the private keeping of wild and exotic animals in our state. I am hopeful that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will give this application the close and exacting scrutiny that it deserves to protect the public, as well as the animals."
View entire letter to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - (PDF-56KB)