Animals seized from Indiana sanctuary

IDAVILLE, Ind., May 30 (UPI) -- Four tigers, a lion, a bobcat and a mountain lion were seized from a northern Indiana animal sanctuary by state conservation officers, officials said.

The seven animals, removed Tuesday, had been the last remaining animals at Great Cats of Indiana in Idaville, the Lafayette Journal & Courier reported.

Cpl. Todd Pekny of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources said Great Cats Director Rob Craig of Idaville had state permits to keep the animals. But Pekny said he found violations of laws governing the permits.

The Journal & Courier did not say what violations prompted the seizure of the animals.

DNR Lt. Dan Dulin said conservation officers had begun an investigation about a week ago after an anonymous tip raised concerns about Great Cats' licensing.

The White County Sheriff's Office and White County Animal Control assisted in the investigation.

The newspaper said attempts to reach Craig for comment were unsuccessful.

Animals had been sent to Great Cats, which is licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a wildlife sanctuary, because they had been abused, abandoned or kept illegally.

The sanctuary once had been home to more than 60 animals, including African lions, cougars, leopards, wolves and bears.