Carole Baskin is a prominent American animal rights activist and executive director of Big Cat Rescue, a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating exotic cats. The woman gained global recognition after the release of the Netflix documentary series "Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness," which chronicles the life of Joe Exotic, a former tiger breeder and Baskin's longtime foe.
Born on June 6, 1961, in San Antonio, Texas, Carole Baskin grew up surrounded by animals, which instilled in her a love and passion for them. In the late 1990s, she founded Big Cat Rescue with her late husband Don Lewis, which has become one of the largest sanctuaries for big cats in the world.
Beyond her work in animal advocacy, Carole Baskin has also made headlines for her personal life. Her marriage to Don Lewis ended in tragedy when he went missing in 1997 and was declared legally dead in 2002. Baskin has faced accusations in relation to Lewis's disappearance.
Despite the controversy surrounding her and the release of "Tiger King," Carole Baskin remains a prominent figure in animal rights activism. In this article, we take a deep dive into her life, including her age, height, figure, and net worth.
Carole Baskin: Who is She?
Carole Baskin is a well-known personality in the United States, recognized for her work as an animal rights activist and sanctuary founder. She gained extensive media attention following the release of the widely popular Netflix documentary, "Tiger King." However, long before that, she had already been making waves in the animal rights community.
Baskin has dedicated her life to rescuing and rehabilitating big cats, and is the founder of Big Cat Rescue, a sanctuary focused on providing a home to big cats that have been abused or neglected. Through her work, Baskin has become a leading voice for animal rights and has advocated for stricter laws to govern the treatment of big cats in captivity.
Despite her passion for big cats, Baskin has also garnered controversy and criticism throughout her career, particularly in relation to allegations made against her by the protagonist of "Tiger King," Joe Exotic. Exotic accused Baskin of being involved in the murder of her second husband, a claim she vehemently denies.
Despite the controversy, Baskin continues to be a respected figure in the animal rights community and a driving force behind improvements in big cat welfare. As of 2021, she remains active in her work with Big Cat Rescue, and has also taken on various media projects meant to spread awareness of animal rights issues.
Early Life and Career
Carole Baskin was born in Texas in the year 1961. She grew up in a family of farmers and spent most of her early life working on her parents' farm. Her love for animals started at a young age, and she developed a keen interest in big cats when she visited a circus as a child.
After getting married at the age of 17, Carole moved to Florida with her husband. It was here that she started to work with animals and became involved in rescue and rehabilitation work. In 1992, she founded the Big Cat Rescue, a sanctuary for big cats, which has now become one of the largest accredited sanctuaries in the world.
Carole has dedicated her life to advocating for big cats, fighting against their captivity and exploitation. She has been involved in various campaigns and initiatives, including lobbying for stricter laws and regulations to protect these animals. In addition to her work with big cats, Carole is also a vegan and has spoken out on a range of animal welfare issues.
Through her work and activism, Carole has become a well-known public figure, and her story has been the subject of various documentaries, TV shows, and books.The Big Cat Rescue Organization
About Big Cat Rescue
Big Cat Rescue is an animal sanctuary located in Tampa, Florida. The primary focus of this organization is to rescue and rehabilitate wild cats, such as tigers, lions, and leopards, that have been abused, neglected, or abandoned. The sanctuary provides a safe and caring habitat for these big cats, allowing them to live out the rest of their lives in peace and comfort.
Founding of Big Cat Rescue
The Big Cat Rescue organization was founded in 1992 by Carole Baskin and her late husband, Don Lewis. Initially, the sanctuary was named Wildlife on Easy Street and was located at their private property. Over the years, the organization grew, and in 1995, it became a non-profit organization. The organization changed its name to Big Cat Rescue to better align with its mission of rescuing wild cats.
Big Cat Rescue's Mission
The mission of the Big Cat Rescue organization is to provide a safe and healthy environment for rescued wild cats, to educate the public about the issues facing these animals, and to advocate for stronger laws to protect them. The organization believes that wild cats belong in the wild and should not be kept as pets or used for entertainment. Big Cat Rescue works to raise awareness about the plight of these animals and to promote conservation efforts to protect their natural habitats.
Supporting Big Cat Rescue
If you are interested in supporting the Big Cat Rescue organization, there are several ways to do so. You can make a donation, sponsor a cat, or even volunteer your time. The organization also offers virtual tours, merchandise, and an online gift shop to raise funds for their work. Your support can help ensure that rescued wild cats receive the care they need and deserve.
Tiger King Controversy
The Netflix documentary series "Tiger King" was released in March 2020 and quickly became a sensation, drawing millions of viewers worldwide. The show follows the story of Joe Exotic, a flamboyant zookeeper from Oklahoma who owned a private zoo with hundreds of tigers and other big cats. One of the central figures in the show is Carole Baskin, a big cat rights activist and owner of Big Cat Rescue in Florida.
Baskin is depicted as a rival of Joe Exotic, who accuses her of trying to shut down his zoo and steal his animals. She is also accused of allegedly murdering her second husband, Don Lewis, who disappeared in 1997 and was never found. Despite no charges being filed against her, rumors and speculation abound on the internet, fueled by the documentary.
The show also highlights the controversial practice of private big cat ownership in the US, which is legal in some states. Baskin and other animal rights activists argue that these animals are often mistreated and exploited by their owners for profit.
- The show has been criticized for its portrayal of Baskin, who claims that it misrepresents her and fails to address important issues related to big cat conservation and captivity.
- Several of the subjects in the documentary, including Exotic and Baskin, have since become embroiled in legal battles and ongoing controversies.
- Despite the controversy, "Tiger King" has remained a wildly popular and compelling series, prompting discussions about animal welfare, media portrayals, and the ethics of private ownership of exotic pets.
Age, Height, Figure, and Net Worth
Carole Baskin was born on June 6, 1961, which makes her current age 60 years old. She stands at a height of 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) and has a lean figure with a weight of around 130 lbs (59 kg).
As the founder and CEO of Big Cat Rescue, Baskin's net worth is estimated to be around $10 million. She generated much of her wealth through her animal advocacy work and from the success of the Netflix documentary series, "Tiger King", which brought attention to her ongoing feud with Joe Exotic and the world of big cat breeding.
Baskin has been an animal rights activist for over two decades and has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the mistreatment of big cats in captivity. She has lobbied for legislation to protect exotic animals and has even successfully campaigned to have the "cub breeding" industry outlawed in certain states.
Despite controversy surrounding her portrayal in "Tiger King" and ongoing allegations from Joe Exotic and others, Baskin remains a vocal advocate for animal welfare and continues to work towards ending the exploitation of big cats.
FAQ
What is Carole Baskin famous for?
Carole Baskin is famous for her appearance in the Netflix documentary series, "Tiger King". She is the founder and CEO of Big Cat Rescue, an animal sanctuary in Florida.
What is Carole Baskin's age?
Carole Baskin was born on June 6, 1961, which makes her 60 years old as of 2021.
What is Carole Baskin's net worth?
As of 2021, Carole Baskin's net worth is estimated to be around $10 million. Most of her wealth comes from her animal sanctuary, Big Cat Rescue, as well as her appearance on "Tiger King".
What is Carole Baskin's height and weight?
Carole Baskin stands at 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) tall. Her weight is not publicly known, but she has mentioned struggling with her weight in the past and advocating for a plant-based diet.
What challenges has Carole Baskin faced in her life?
Carole Baskin has faced several challenges in her life, including the disappearance of her ex-husband, Don Lewis, in 1997. She has also been the target of harassment and threats from fans of "Tiger King", and has faced criticism from animal rights activists who question her methods at Big Cat Rescue. Additionally, her personal life has been scrutinized by the media and she has dealt with issues such as weight struggles and a difficult childhood.
