EDITORIAL/Tiger Queen: Carole Baskin moving her big cats to Arkansas

It was just a couple of years ago that Carole Baskin became a household name.

And not always in a good way.

The longtime advocate and rescue worker for big cats was pretty much presented as a villian in the Netflix original series, "Tiger King."

The series followed the ups and downs of Joe Exotic, an outlandish Oklahoma wildlife sanctuary owner.

Joe Exotic ended up in prison by series end, but he blamed many of his legal problems on Baskin -- and wasn't shy about using the most uncomplimentary language about her. One episode of the series also suggested she may have had something to do with the 1997 disappearance of former husband Don Lewis. The viewing public quickly picked on on the implication Lewis' body might have been fed to one the tigers at her sanctuary and the theory spread like wildfire on social media.

Baskin denies any involvement with the disappearance.

While Joe Exotic spends his time in a cage of his own, Basking and her current husband have moved on. So much so they are closing their Florida sanctuary and shipping their critters to Northwest Arkansas,

The 40 or so big cats and other animals will have a specially-built home at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge near Eureka Springs

The COVID-19 pandemic put a financial strain on their park and new laws have reduced the need for a big cat rescues, the couple said in a statement. Baskin and her husband will continue to fund the cats in their new homes. And they plan to spend more time on animal advocacy,

The animals will be a welcome addition to Arkansas. Because despite all the hoopla surrounding "Tiger King," their health and well-being are what really matter.

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