Watch CBS News

7 Big Cats From North Texas Farm Relocated To NJ Zoo

LACEY TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) - Seven big cats found neglected on a farm in North Texas are settling in their new home at a New Jersey zoo.

The lion with bad teeth, a tailless tiger and five cougars arrived at Popcorn Park Zoo in Lacey Township two weeks ago.

The owner of InSync Exotics, an exotic cat sanctuary in Wylie, contacted the zoo after learning the owner of the farm had died.

Vicky Keahey and her husband Eddie, the owners of InSync Exotics, found 10 cougars, nine lions and one tiger living in horse stalls that appeared not to have been cleaned in years.

"There was a cougar laying in the corner," Vicky said welling up with tears, during a former CBS 11 News interview. "He had the shakes real bad, so we quickly went over to give him water. He tried three times to get up and get to the water."

Popcorn Park Zoo manager John Bergmann says the animals will never want for clean water, proper diet, a clean den and big yards to play in.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.