Bhagavan Antle | |
|---|---|
 Antle at Myrtle Beach Safari in 2020 | |
| Born | Kevin Antle March 16, 1960 Salinas, California, U.S. |
| Other names | Doc Antle |
| Occupation(s) | Animal trainer, zoo operator |
| Known for | Operator of the Myrtle Beach Safari |
| Spouses | Betsy "Brami" Rodgers
(divorced)Radha Hirsch (divorced)Dawn Thurston (died) |
| Children | 4 |
| Criminal details | |
| Conviction(s) |
|
| Penalty |
|
Bhagavan Mahamayavi "Doc" Antle[1] (born Kevin Antle; March 16, 1960), is an American animal trainer, roadside zoo operator, and felon convicted of wildlife trafficking.[2][3]
Antle began raising dogs in his youth,[4] and started operating a private zoo in 1983.[3][5] Antle has worked as an animal trainer for films including Ace Ventura and Dr. Doolittle in addition to appearing as a guest on several television shows.[6] In 2020, he was featured in the first season of Netflix true crime documentary series Tiger King. Antle was the subject of a follow-up documentary Tiger King: The Doc Antle Story released in December 2021.[7]
Antle has faced accusations of animal cruelty throughout his career. In October 2020, Antle was charged with two felony counts related to wildlife trafficking and 13 additional misdemeanors after an investigation by the Attorney General of Virginia.[8][9] Antle has also has faced public allegations of inappropriate relationships with minors at the private Buckingham County, Virginia zoo, and of operating a cult at the Myrtle Beach Safari location, claims that Antle denies.[10][11] On June 3, 2022, Antle was arrested by the FBI on federal charges related to money laundering.[12][13]
In June 2023, Antle was convicted in Virginia of wildlife trafficking.[14] In October, he was fined $10,000 and banned from owning wildlife in Virginia for five years.[15] In November 2023, Antle pleaded guilty to federal wildlife trafficking and money laundering charges, and faces up to five years in federal prison for each charge and a fine of $250,000.[16][17][18] Antle's federal sentencing is set for August 27, 2024.[19]
- ^ Henry, Grace (December 10, 2021), Who is Doc Antle and what is his real name?, Radio Times, retrieved December 12, 2021
- ^ Port, Ian S. (September 21, 2015). "The Man Who Made Animal Friends". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
- ^ a b Daly, Natasha (October 9, 2020). "'Tiger King' Star Doc Antle Charged with Wildlife Trafficking". National Geographic. Archived from the original on October 12, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
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:1was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Jones, Isabel (April 2, 2020). "Tiger King's Doc Antle Was in These Movies, Shows & Music Videos". InStyle. Archived from the original on April 4, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
:0was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Morales, Christina (May 21, 2021). "69 Big Cats Are Seized From Jeffrey Lowe, a Figure in 'Tiger King'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
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Foxwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Caines, Richard (June 3, 2022). "'Tiger King' star Doc Antle arrested by FBI on money laundering allegations". Post and Courier. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
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CNN_11-7-23was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Benson, Adam (August 2, 2024). "Former 'Tiger King' star, Myrtle Beach Safari owner to be sentenced on federal conspiracy, money laundering charges". WNCT-TV. Greenville, South Carolina. Retrieved August 17, 2024.